Mother Goose Manners by Harriet Ziefert. Illustrations by Pascale Constantin.

Published by Blue Apple Books
Distributed in the US by Chronicle Books
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Nursery rhymes and childhood go hand-in-hand. Even as adults we often remember them enough to repeat to our own offspring or those of family and friends. In Mother Goose Manners these rhymes are brought to life by the vibrant and original illustrations of Pascale Constantin. Each image is printed on a fold out page that - when lifted - reveals a whole new image accompanied by the words of Harriet Ziefert that encourage the young reader to develop their manners. Never has learning to be polite been so fun.

This hardcover book contains 12 nursery rhymes within 32 pages and is recommended for ages 4-8.

I found this read to be cute and entertaining and really wished that such a title had been available as my own children were growing up. I like the idea of introducing manners to a child by using such a fun method, especially when it encourages children to read.

Harriet Ziefert encourages children to not just consider each rhyme carefully but also how manners could have improved the situation. Who knows how many creative and considerate ideas your young reader can suggest!

This is definitely one of my favourite picks for a child's bookcase.

Illustrator's website: http://www.pascaleconstantin.com/

Communication With All Life: Revelations of an Animal Communicator by Joan Ranquet

Published by Hay House Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Communication With All Life is a book that has so much to offer. Joan Ranquet shares her personal story of how she came to be an animal communicator and also blesses the reader with numerous shining examples of lives being improved because of it. Although this book does contain a great deal of how-to information, it also delves into the existing links we have with our animals every day, whether we are aware or not. The main theme of the book? "That animal communication is not something we need do or learn.. it just is."

Joan Ranquet has worked with people and their animals in order to help them deepen their connections to one another, resolve behavioural problems, assist in the process of death and dying, and examine incidents surrounding illness and accidents. Now, in this book she gently instructs the reader in how to develop such a bond with their own animals by enacting leadership, responsibility, and positivity in their thoughts and feelings as a way to develop and maintain harmony.

I may very well be biased in this review. As a lover of animal-themed books and books surrounding energy work, to find a book based on both subjects simultaneously is just heaven for me. I personally learned a great deal from this book thanks to the wealth of information but most importantly, the manner in which it is delivered to the reader. Joan Ranquet takes care to ensure that the reader is not simply given the tools and resources to build such a bond with their animals but also that they are aware of the reasoning and logic behind it all. It was so simply laid out that I couldn’t help but understand and absorb the content.

In my own experience, I had been practicing some of this before I even picked up the book. A recent feline addition (I am no longer using the word 'rescue' thanks to the author) is excessively timid thanks to her previous home and I had been talking to her gently and telling her how beautiful she is and that she is safe with me. While my husband often gives me that amused look when he catches me talking to the animals*, he was most pleased to hear that she had been allowing me to carefully stroke her. Reading this book has helped me to use my instincts as a base and develop further skills gleaned from this book in order to better relate to our fur-babies. *(Frank AKA my husband adds that it isn't that I talk to the animals, it's that I hold one-sided conversations with them that amuses him.)

Do I agree with everything in the book? Of that I am not certain but as my Grandma used to say - The proof of the pudding is in the eating. I'm certainly willing to give it a shot. What I liked especially about this book is the section called 'Overall Wellness'. I liked learning more about animal nutrition, vaccines and more. I loved the inclusion of resources such as the author's own website and books such as 'Foods Pets Die For', and 'The Nature of Animal Healing' (both titles will be added to Mount TBR in the foreseeable future),

For me, this was a joy to read.

Author's website: http://www.joanranquet.com

Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home by Mary Beth Lagerborg

Published by Revell Books - A division of Baker Publishing Group

Home. That word invokes different thoughts, feelings and emotions in all of us. For some it's just a roof over our heads, for others it's a space where we can relax and be comfortable, for still more of us it's about family and relationships. In this book the author shares her own personal stories and facts along with those from a number of people regarding what home means to them. Simultaneously, the book provides a wealth of information on how to deal with situations such as: colliding decorating tastes or cleanliness levels, making mealtimes appealing and meaningful to everyone, creating an inviting atmosphere for guests, making working from home work for you, reaching out to those beyond your walls and so much more.

I wasn't certain what to expect from this book. It interested me a great deal though as someone who likes to try and make our home a comfortable and relaxing space for my husband, our pets and myself. For us, home is wherever our family is. Being a military family can be a real challenge sometimes, especially when this is our third home in as many years. I don't think I have ever really considered anywhere to be home and a lot of that is probably due to familial dysfunction during childhood years. I am confident that will change in the future though.

Thanks to a diverse group of people sharing what is important to them, the reader can’t help but feel inspired. I know for myself, there are so many small, yet wonderful changes I will be implementing in our own space to make it more homely. It has also encouraged me to finally get serious about finishing the creation of my own workspace in the home. It has been semi-done for the past few months but I never seem to find the time to complete it.

I really liked this book. It is a Christian book but with not enough religious content that readers with other beliefs would be put off by it. I found that to be greatly appealing. Reading this book has also led me to be curious about another title ‘Once a Month Cooking’ in which the reader can learn how to prepare enough meals for a month, in one day. I am greatly intrigued by that and look forward to reviewing that title once I obtain a copy.

All in all, a very insightful and encouraging read. For me the biggest message I gleaned from it’s pages is that regardless of what our past experiences of home life are, it’s never too late to learn and make our own homes a welcoming and positive place.

Author's website: http://www.dwellingspace.net/

The Middle Stories by Sheila Heti

Published by House of Anansi Press

A mermaid in a jar, a woman in a shoe, a little lost dumpling, a blind girl with clown-like hair, and a farmer with a fondness of thunderstorms (merely because he likes to see his cows get struck by lightning) are just a few of the weirdly wonderful characters to be found in this eclectic and highly original collection of stories.

I have had this book on my shelf for some time and finally decided to set it free tonight. First, I have to comment on the book itself. The version I have is the Canadian hardcover edition and sometimes, as a bibliophile, the thing I love most about a book is the feel of it in my hands. I just adore this one. For such a small book it is decidedly weighty and the book just feels so luxurious to hold and I greatly like the built in ribbon bookmark that makes life so much easier. It doesn't seem to matter how many bookmarks I have, I always end up seeking out a postcard, or the latest bill in order to mark my place.

I really liked the stories though I must admit I found myself wondering at first. The stories don't seem to have any real meaning though they are very imaginative and entertaining. Once I dropped the notion that I needed to make sense of these tales, I enjoyed them a great deal more. The writing style is fantastic and captivating while the stories are often surprising and always brilliantly crafted.

My favourites had to be Mermaid in the Jar, The Littlest Dumpling (which actually made me laugh out loud), Eleanor, and The Poet and The Novelist as Roommates. Really though, I was pretty fond of each and every story within these pages. To me, it makes an ideal read for one of those days when you just want to relax and really enjoy a book without having to think about it too much. A great addition to any collection.

To give you a small sample, here is a little of "Mermaid in a Jar":

I have a mermaid in a jar that Quilty bought me at a garage sale for twenty-five cents. The mermaid's all, "I hate you I hate you I hate you," but she's in a jar, and unless I loosen the top she's not coming out to kill me.

or the beautiful beginning to "The Girl Who Was Blind All The Time":

She lived in the hollow of her mouth and ears. She lived in the two deep hollows of her nose, and when and if someone touched her, she lived in her skin as well.

On an added note: When readers are considering buying this book, they should try and get the Canadian hardcover edition which is published by The House of Anansi Press. While there is an edition in the US, it is a somewhat limited version that had some of the content removed in the wake of 9/11. The author has previously stated in online interviews that the Canadian hardcover edition is truer to her original intention.

Author's website: http://www.sheilaheti.net

The Class Project: How To Kill A Mother - The True Story of Canada's Infamous Bathtub Girls by Bob Mitchell

Published by Key Porter Books

Two teenage sisters return from dinner with friends to a shocking image of their mother dead, face-down in a bathtub of water. Frantic, they call 911 and the operator keeps them on the line, trying to calm their hysterics until the emergency services arrive. Friends and family are shocked and stunned by the news and rally around to help the girls - along with their younger brother - recover from this tragedy.

Little do authorities know that the death of Linda Andersen is not accidental, but was in fact planned by the two sisters aided by various close friends. Only a year later when Sandra (the oldest daughter) tells her dark secret to the wrong person, does their perfect murderous plot see the light of day. How is it possible that 15 and 16 year old girls almost get away with such a terrible crime?

In The Class Project, Bob Mitchell shares all the answers. With the cooperation of the homicide investigators, crown prosecutors, and the girls' own defense team, the author tells all in this inside look into the sensational trial that would rank among the most notorious in Canadian judicial history.

I was totally taken aback by this book. I admit that I am not fond of watching or reading about the news and so I knew nothing about this event. In my mind though, I have never associated homicide with youths, much less young girls. Not unless they were victims. To read about teen girls who plotted to kill their mother for months was disturbing but more disturbing still was the fact that they shared this info with a number of friends. Friends who didn't try to talk them out of it, who didn't go to the authorities or a parent and express concern. Friends who instead, chose to collaberate with the sisters on the best methods to use and safest ways not to get caught. Hence the title, The Class Project.

The author shares all the information in an interesting and factual manner that easily keeps the readers attention. Indeed, I began reading this book when I couldn't sleep last night and while I did eventually put it down (around 2am), I didn't hesitate to pick it back up when I woke at 7. I couldn't help but be drawn in even as I found myself in constant turmoil. I couldn't (and still can't) decide wether to feel sympathy for the girls and their environment or feel horror at the cold-hearted manner in which they planned and then carried out the murder of their own mother.

It's not an easy read at times but is always rivetting all the same. I have read a few true crime books and this is definitely among my favourite. The author has taken interviews, court documents etc and has woven them brilliantly together to form a gripping yet chilling read. It certainly opened my eyes.

An informative and fascinating read.

Confessions of an Onnagata by H. G. Robert

Self Published by the Author via Lulu

Description as written on the author's site:
"Confessions of an Onnagata" by H. G. Robert is a colorful mix of haiku and poetic interludes spiced with pearls of wisdom about gender roles, Japanese phrases and etiquette.

The book's poetic themes are centered around the Onnagata, who is a cross-dressed male actor in the Japanese kabuki theatre. ("Onna" means woman and "Gata" (kata) means way of doing or form.)

Nothing is what it seems. Gender is an illusion.
Onnagatas are the butterflies of life.

I found this book to be a truly unique and creative read. I am admittedly very fond of all things Japanese so this book had piqued my interest from the start. I greatly enjoyed reading the beginning of the book where the reader is treated to a brief history of the Onnagata. That alone got me interested enough to go browsing the world wide web for further info (once I finished the book, of course).

I found the illustrations in the book very appealing. A simple black, white, and red colouring really added a dramatic quality. The written content itself is very diverse as the reader is treated to Haiku poetry, Japanese phrases, and some Japanese customs. I found the Haiku poetry to be beautiful, honest and uncomplicated and I honestly didn't expect to like them that much. I prefer longer poems but I was actually pleasantly surprised by the strong impact of such short messages.

The glimpse into Japanese phrases and customs was interesting to read but really felt a little out of place to me. It just didn't seem to mesh with the rest of the book. It was still a good read though and I know I will visit it again for the Haiku poetry.

*note: This review is for the first edition of the title.

Author's website: http://geriwood.us

Spirit's Inspiration - An Archetypical Journey in Short Stories by Jill Thomas. Illustrated by Suzie Hebert Ouellette.

Published by Goldeye Publications

A young girl who travels a path of broken glass, a spirit guide on his own journey of discovery, and a midnight dancer are just three of the characters who are waiting for you to begin your journey within the pages of Spirit's Inspiration. This collection of short stories is inspired by the works of Carl Jung and Caroline Myss. Jill Thomas takes the subject of archetypes and not only simplifies it for the reader but also injects a little fantasy and magic for fun!

Spirit's Inspiration is an incredibly inspiring and thought provoking collection of short stories that are written with a pure child-like innocence and yet carry within them so many positive and encouraging messages.

There were numerous things I liked about this book. The whimsical illustrations created by Suzie Hebert Ouellette, the many quotes which are sprinkled within the pages, and especially the style of writing that ensures that the tales are easily accessible to people of all ages.

The cover of the book promises an architypical journey, but I honestly hadn't known what to expect. I had not anticipated such a journey could be as fun and emotionally charged as it was. With each turn of a page I was treated to a literary delight which caused my mind to race, and heart to warm as the content drew me in. Not only drawing me in but also encouraging me to search deep within myself as I contemplated each story.

I feel this collection belongs on any bookshelf but would especially like to see younger generations encouraged to read it. I believe this book is filled with so many empowering messages that it could only be beneficial. The characters are well written and easy to connect with which was a huge plus for me. All too often in short stories, our introduction to such characters is so fleeting that it's impossible to form a bond with them.

I know that usually when I review short story collections I like to share which were my favourites but that was an impossible task with this title. I don't think there was a single tale that didn't deeply touch me as I read it. This is a great read and I will be making sure this book is never far away as I feel I will be revisiting this one time and again.

You can contact the author here and/or visit her website here