The Lion & the Mouse

The large beast grabs and then releases the tiny creature, who later frees the lion who has become tangled in a hunter's snare. Pinkney enriches this classic tale of friendship with another universal theme — family —by Jerry Pinkney review

“I’ve been so ecstatic recently after receiving the Randolph Caldecott Medal for my wordless picture book, The Lion and the Mouse. Over the years, I have happily been the recipient of 5 Randolph Caldecott Honors and now earning this medal is just amazing. his website

BUBBLE TROUBLE

"Margaret Mahy mixes acrobatic language and tongue-tangling rhymes to create her latest lighter-than-air offering." If you stop and think about what this author does you realize she uses language in a very effective way here. The words and rhythm pair perfectly with what a bubble really does. It bounces, it rolls, it lands and then takes off again. No one really can predict what will happen to it if it just travels on the capricious breeze.

26 opportunities to save the planet your child can be involved with..

B is for bright idea

C is for conserve

P is for plant a tree

In the Monterey Bay Area you can find this wonderful book at:

http://www.theworkspg.com/

CITY DOG, COUNTRY FROG, by Mo and Muth, is a poetic, funny, and stunningly beautiful picturebook tale of friendship in five chapters: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring Again. If there is such a thing as perfection in the world of picturebooks, this is definitely located in that neighborhood. In the spring, a leash-less City Dog running in the country encounters a Country Frog sitting on a rock: "'What are you doing?' asked City Dog."'Waiting for a friend,' replied Country Frog with a smile."'But you'll do.'" The two new friends proceed to play together. Since the dog "was new to the country," he follows the frog's lead in playing games (that involve "jumping and splashing and croaking.")

Author, Mo Willems and illustrator, Jon Muth have captured the essence to having a satisfying and rich life. You will find yourself reading this book over and over to your child because there will be loses just as there are gains in life. If your child knows how to react to a loss, life will be good!

One of the unforgettable ways an artist makes a point is by pairing. Pairing? What's that?

Pairing is the juxtaposing of two or more ingredients together. Wine and cheese is a pairing we are all familiar with. Painters belonging to the fauvist school of painting juxtaposed strong colors.

But there is pairing of another kind of thing----- a pairing of ideas. When done thoughtfully, it can elicit a deep awareness of what it is to be alive and part of something bigger than yourself.

Patrick McDonnell's new book South pairs human emotions with an activity humans never really experience first hand. Birds migrate. Butterflies migrate. Whales migrate. But humans only watch migrations. They click away counting the migration participants, but they don't participate in migrations year after year during their lifetimes.

But, as McDonnell sees it, an orphaned yellow bird who doesn't join his fellow birds in a migration south can experience loss, lonliness, crossing boundaries, expanding horizons just as humans can. Fortunately in South McDonnell hesitates to use any text whatsoever. And this is the one omission that signals the drama of powerful situations like lonliness, loss, saying good-bye, and expanding horizons.

A Unique Pairing

"Be alert as you watch a dog at play or at rest. Let the animal teach you to feel at home in the Now, to celebrate life by being completely present."

More than a collection of witty and charming drawings, the marriage of Patrick McDonnell's art and Eckhart Tolle's words conveys a profound love of nature, of animals, of humans, of all life-forms. Guardians of Being celebrates and reminds us of not only the oneness of all life but also the wonder and joy to be found in the present moment, amid the beauty we sometimes forget to notice all around us.

If you have a pet, you can especially appreciate this pairing. Eckhart Tolle's profound truths about our perceptions of the present are paired up with a pet's moments of love, joy to be alive, happy to be here. This pairing is a powerful way to show how far you can go when you have your heart in living.

Contra Costa Certified Farmers' Market

CHOPPED CHICKEN MANGO SALAD

Bahama Billy's Island Steakhouse

Carmel, California

831-626-0430

This is the best menu around for fresh salads that surprise you with mangos, pineapple, nuts, and fresh ginger. Their seafood creations are also highly recommended.

Jim Thurman, a Physical Therapist at Valley Physical Therapy, has one important message for his patients: GROW STRONG

This is what we all want in a book store. Peace and quiet comes to mind first. Plus, this bookstore/cafe is very cozy. Sit and have a quiet moment witih a cup of tea and a special treat to nibble on while you look over a new book or visit with a friend. The staff is very helpfyul and polite.

Monterey Farmers Markets

Salinas Farmers Markets

Carmel Farmers Markets

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