​Love and Slaughter


Sheep are by a goat while
cattle are like swine, prodded, yet
cattle go by hammer while
swine are by the hind leg hung
then swung about to spigot.
Quicker, infinitely cleaner, is
the hacksaw of sweet Susan's laughter.


Donal Mahoney

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this delightful rhyming story, Fifo, a warm and loveable brown bear, is bitten by the travel bug. Fifo dreams of diging up diamonds in Arkansas, looking for fossils in Kansas, enjoying a delicious bowl of gumbo in Louisiana, and even seeing a Broadway show in New York. Yes, America is an exciting place! Fifo's second book is full of adventure. A colorful reference-like geography book, Fifo discovers the wonders each state has to offer. He learns along the way each state's capital, shape, flag, motto, and much, much more. The possibilities are endless! So, come along with Fifo and you'll soon discover the beauty of America one state to another. A positive experience for both Fifo and the reader. Learning should always be this much fun!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hayley Rose is a #1 best-selling, award-winning author, dedicated to bringing fun, educational and inspiring books to kids through her brand Books by Hayley Rose. Hayley's children's books have won numerous literary awards, including the prestigious Mom's Choice Awards®, KART Kids Book List Award®, Creative Child Magazine's Preferred Choice® and four Reader's Favorite International Book Awards®, an honor she shares alongside actor Jim Carrey and author Sheri Fink. In 2012 Hayley was selected as one of The Top 50 Writers You Should Be Reading, by the AuthorsShow.com. Before writing children's books, Hayley had been working in entertainment business management for over 15 years, specializing in concert touring. She has worked with many A list musicians including Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart and Candlebox just to name a few. Hayley hopes to one day soon release an album of children's songs.

OUR REVIEWS:
Rating: 4/5 Stars - Jessica B.
This is a great book for children to read and learn about the United States. Each page follows the same rhyming pattern and structure, changing the information based on the state. It teaches children what number each state is, its capital, flower, tree, and bird. Between each state is an illustration that represents the previous state.
 
For an adult it can get very repetitive, but is a great resource for children in elementary school who are starting to learn geography. It introduces the material in a fun way that may help them to remember certain facts about each state. The illustrations are beautiful and innocent, and children will have a blast discovering all the details within each picture. It’s fun and lighthearted!
 
Would recommend for teachers and adults with young children. 

4 out of 5 stars - Amy
The illustrations in this book are what really caught my eye. The pictures are vivid, whimsical, and so well detailed, with different scenes that capture the character of each state. The book itself is simple to read and features a repeating rhyme that acts as a container for the facts within. Even as an adult I learned something while reading, because I’m shamefully inept at remembering the state capitols. Along with the basic facts on each state, though, I would have loved to see something a little quirkier, like a “fun fact” for each state. I think this would have helped break up the repetition of the narrative, which at times felt a bit restrictive to me. Overall, though, I think this book is a great educational resource for schools, and I could certainly see it as a staple on the bookshelves of elementary-age children. 


Rating: 3/5 - Ariel
Hayley Rose’s Fifo “50 States” attempts to teach children about the United States in a fun and simple way.  I appreciate the style of the writing; the rhyme scheme is pleasant and creates a song-like rhythm that is easy to memorize and fun for kids.  I also commend the educational value of the book.  Not only does Rose identify the state capitals, but she also identifies the order in which the states joined the Union.  This is a great book for kids that want to learn certain facts about each state and can serve as an introduction to American geography.  However, I wish the book included more fun facts about the states.  With each state, Rose describes the state bird, flower, and tree and identifies the capital.  While these are interesting and important facts, there is more to each state than just those facts.  The illustrations done by Jessie B. Orlet tell a different and more unique story for each state.  For instance, Rose describes California as an amazing state with Sacramento as the capital and the California Valley Quail as the state bird.  Orlet’s illustration, however, shows what makes California special with Fifo accepting an award in Hollywood with Yosemite in the background.  This book would have been more effective if each state had their unique story told as reflected by the illustrations along with the facts.  While this aspect slightly disappointed me, I would recommend this educational book for young kids.  

4 out of 5 stars - Ally
Fifo “50 States” has everything you could want in a children’s book: colorful art, sing-songy text, and informational dialogue. The artistry of the book is truly delightful; each image is simplistic in style and yet full of cuddly characters and rich scenes. They capture the imagination and supplement the words nicely.

Fifo, himself, is a great character for children to follow. They come along as he travels all over the country and tells them about each place. There are key, easily remembered bits of information such as the capitals of the states, state flowers, and other small details. Each section is composed like a poem, with the first four lines almost identically matching that of the other states. It easily sets up the homey ambiance of any children’s novel.

I would highly recommend it as an introduction to different states for kids. It doesn’t tell a story so much as just bounce from state to state, so there definitely needs to be some interest in the subject matter.


My Review: 5/5 - MAddy
An adorable little book that would help familiarize children with the states, their mottos and some of their symbols in a poem format. The illustrations are colorful and full of movement, and I think young children would have just as much fun flipping through the book and learning the states visually as much as they would enjoy reading the poems. 

Image Credits stevepb, CC0 1.0

5 Ways to Motivate Your Kids to Do Their Homework
by Emily Johnson

Making kids do their homework is one herculean task dreaded by most parents. Making your over energetic kid settle down for something mundane like homework is nothing sort of nightmare, isn’t it? Kids don’t understand its value and therefore don’t take it seriously but homework is a necessary evil. If all your tricks have failed to motivate your child to do his or her homework, then worry not! Because here are five ways to make your life easier.


1) Make It a Positive Affair
A study by Stanford Researcher – Denise Pope has found in a study that excessive homework can be counter-productive, leading to stress and health problems. Don’t make them dread the word homework or make them think that homework is some monster out to destroy their playing time. Use positive language. Don’t keep a stern face and start ordering even before they get their things out! Keep a happy and relaxed attitude. Seeing you relaxed, they won’t feel scared about doing it. It all depends upon the environment and the way you speak about it. Draw associations between homework and their favorite hobby. To your footballer son, say that doing homework would increase his concentration skills, which are very important for playing football. He’ll be more than happy to finish his homework.


2) Engaged, Not Nosy
No one likes to be bossed around and parents often forget that even children are individuals in their own right. If you stand over them and keep checking every 2 minutes, they’ll feel irritated and find ways to escape doing it. Instead, be actively curious about their work, ask them engaging questions related to their study that ignites even their curiosity and makes their work sound interesting. Your healthy involvement with them will also make them feel that homework is not just about sitting alone on your desk, but can also be an engaging experience with their parents.


3) Understand Their Limitations
No one size fits all and this is also true for children. Every child is unique and different. If some children are studious, then some excel in sports. Please stop thinking that something is WRONG with your kid! Once you know that your child’s primary interest doesn’t lie in academics, change the way you approach studies with them. For example - if they are interested in sports, set more time for their playing and less for their studies. Even if they are doing the minimum required, it’s more than enough. Educational psychologists agree that quality and not quantity matters. At the end, understand that his/her interest lies somewhere else.


4) Use Praise and Set Rewards
This is extremely important. It is basic psychology that praise and rewards drive a person. When you complete some tough task at your workplace, you definitely want to be acknowledged. Similarly, homework is nothing less of a job to your kids, they’ll expect kind words and praise from you. Praise them even for their small achievements and downplay their faults. They’ll gain confidence in themselves and look forward to do more. Smile, kiss and hug. Show that you are proud of them. Also, give them small rewards like – greater time for watching TV, toys and not to forget- candies! Kids and Adults love them alike (you can’t say no!) This is something that my mother used as a strategy so that I did my homework. It is no wonder that I have a whole blog dedicated to that! So, if you are wondering which candies would be the best for your kid, head over to my blog and checkout some interesting candies.


5) Set Some. Leave Some.
Don’t get confused. What I mean is that set boundaries but homework shouldn’t be all about you, it is meant for you child. Make it a combined affair. Set the basic boundaries like – all homework has to be done before bed time, but leave some aspects for your child to decide. If he/she is more comfortable with studying after dinner, don’t force them to do it before. If they can’t study for an hour at a stretch, don’t enforce a rigid timetable but discuss with them about how they would like to break their time. Let them feel that they are in control over their work, they will immediately feel responsible towards it and do it with much more vigour.


Making kids do homework is no doubt a tricky task, don’t get overwhelmed by these suggestions. The key to remember is that, they also need space like any other individual, I again say, never forget that kids are also individual beings. Use some psychological insight to understand where your child’s interests lie and accordingly use these tips to motivate them to study.


Author Bio:
Emily has a sweet tooth and is therefore a Mexican candy freak! She has a blog at - http://mexicancandy.org where you can find reviews of candies she has tasted. Apart from this obsession of hers, she loves reading books and travelling.

Title: Short & Gory
Author: Lyn Gibson
Reviewed By: Jessica B
 
Rating: 3/5 Stars
 
This short story horror collection contains five unique stories: ‘Ms. Callem,’ ‘Donor Joe,’ ‘Realtor Denise,’ ‘By Pen and Ink,’ and ‘The Others.’ All are about the same length, but vary in plot and characters. Each story builds up with suspense under the final horror ending is revealed. Although horror is not my favorite genre to read, I respect the author’s writing style and ability to keep the suspense within each story.
 
I didn’t enjoy all of the dialogue or descriptions, as some seemed repetitive. Some of the plots were confusing until the end with the horror plot twists. I believe that is how most horror collections progress, but I wasn’t a fan of knowing details were going to be revealed later and having to wait for them. In that way, some of the plots were predictable and therefore a bit on the boring side. Part of that might have to do with my preference towards short stories. Having said that, readers who enjoy short stories and horror collections will definitely gain entertainment from this piece. The author does a great job of crafting her characters and stories.
 
Although not my personal favorite or first pick for a story, I strongly believe this is a piece others will enjoy thoroughly.  
 
About the Book:
Short & Gory is a compilation of unique tales that will rattle the mind of those that embrace horror and gore! Inspired by Stephen Kings' "Creepshow" Short & Gory is sure to satisfy those with an insatiable craving for terror. Author Lyn Gibson has a talent for weaving horror into unseen and unsuspecting scenarios. Short & Gory will leave the reader on edge and leery of everyone and everything that would typically be seen as "ordinary" or routine.
 
About the Author:
Lyn Gibson is a devout blogger of Vampire history and legend as well as other well known and not so well known paranormal legends.
Visit and follow Lyn at:
BLOG.AUTHORLYNGIBSON.COM
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SOUTHERHORROQUEEN
OR
WWW.AUTHORLYNGIBSON.COM
 
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own
 
Amazon Link
Goodreads Link

​For Oliver
JD DeHart
 
This is for Oliver who told
us the story of a checkered
floor and woke us up,
 
for Oliver whose hat went
missing and was mistaken
for someone’s mother,
 
for Oliver who told us
stories about loss, grief,
and the mind.
 
Previously published at Poems and Poetry Blog.

Short & Gory by Lyn Gibson
Reviewed by Corinthia Mitchell
​
About the Book
Short & Gory is a compilation of unique tales that will rattle the mind of those that embrace horror and gore! Inspired by Stephen Kings' "Creepshow" Short & Gory is sure to satisfy those with an insatiable craving for terror. Author Lyn Gibson has a talent for weaving horror into unseen and unsuspecting scenarios. Short & Gory will leave the reader on edge and leery of everyone and everything that would typically be seen as "ordinary" or routine.

Review, Rating 4/5
Short and Gory delves in the macabre and delivers five unique stories that weave together classic horror with a dash of modern. Each story switches from one horror genre into another ensuring the reader a different flavor of gruesome every time they start the next story. Out of the five, paranormal retribution “Realtor Denise” and cursed higher power “By Pen and Ink” were my favorite. These two stories had me holding my breath in anticipation for their climatic ends.

Great for a late night read!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.

About Author
Ms. Gibson, a noted Vampire historian, is rapidly becoming recognized as a master in the horror genre. Raised amid vampire legend and lore, Lyn is well acquainted with the dark side of Vampire history. She has acquired a fan base that spans the globe. Her in-depth research of vampires has uncovered a chronicle of blood-lust previously vanished from view.

A lover of the paranormal, Lyn shares an insatiable craving for knowledge of these beings who exist just outside mankind’s grasp. She is driven with the desire to depict Vampires’ true nature as fiercely passionate yet unbound, malevolent creatures.

"The Adrian Trilogy" masterfully blends legend and lore into modernity with an ever present erotic twist.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Short-Gory-Lyn-Gibson/dp/1511756519

Wicked Truth by Lyn Gibson
Reviewed by Corinthia Mitchell

About the Book
In the beginning there was truth and light, man thrived peacefully. Then came the darkness. The Fallen descended among mankind as a plague on this earth, spreading forbidden knowledge and evil in their wake. Amid their reign of terror, there were those that hid away the dark secrets of man's origin. For centuries, these guardians have held evil at bay. Now only a shadow of their former union, their strength and faith have faltered and the old ways have all but been lost by the passing of time. The end of days is upon us. The Fallen have gathered their armies and have begun unleashing plagues of evil and destruction. The Beast has heard their battle cry, the ground trembles as he struggles to free himself from his chains. Damnation is at hand, the Apocalypse has begun. Who among us remains to restrain the Beast within his prison and defeat the army of demons that are to come?

Review, Rating 3/5
“Wicked Truth” stands out among the normal horror and biblical fiction as Ms. Gibson weaves a tale that makes the reader question everything they once believed. Fast paced, action-filled, and emotional stirring this read will unfold before you as if you were actually there with the characters.

I would suggest this book to anyone who likes their horror with a heavy overtone of biblical fiction.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.

About Author
Ms. Gibson, a noted Vampire historian, is rapidly becoming recognized as a master in the horror genre. Raised amid vampire legend and lore, Lyn is well acquainted with the dark side of Vampire history. She has acquired a fan base that spans the globe. Her in-depth research of vampires has uncovered a chronicle of blood-lust previously vanished from view.

A lover of the paranormal, Lyn shares an insatiable craving for knowledge of these beings who exist just outside mankind’s grasp. She is driven with the desire to depict Vampires’ true nature as fiercely passionate yet unbound, malevolent creatures.

"The Adrian Trilogy" masterfully blends legend and lore into modernity with an ever present erotic twist.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Short-Gory-Lyn-Gibson/dp/1511756519

​Dog Is Wearing Pants (2)
JD DeHart
 
o my God, the dog
is wearing pants again.
 
I’m sorry, I know this
is off-putting.
We’ve even talked to him
about this.
 
Now he’s sitting spinning
grinning, biting at his tail
which has an unspoken
blemish.
 
He will speak to you
in grunts, if you listen.
Maybe even explain
why he has dressed so.
 
Previously published at Poems and Poetry Blog.

​An Ozarks Fourth of July

World War II was over but still
fresh in the minds of folks who lived 
in Bill’s hometown in the Ozarks.
Independence Day was important.
It called for a celebration.

When his father had the money,
and that was rare, he would buy 
a lamb for the Fourth of July.
He'd roast the animal on a spit
in the yard, turning it slowly 
and dousing it with mop sauce.

Bill was 10 on the Fourth in 1948. 
His job was to make the ice cream 
turning the crank on the freezer.
His relatives would watch in the yard 
and laugh and yell when he had
to pause and go to the bathroom.
Banana ice cream, his father’s 
favorite, had to be just right.
Never stop turning the crank.

In 1948, there were no parades 
in town or concerts on TV.
No television sets back then and 
the town was too small for a parade.
But after the Great War, people 
in the Ozarks were quietly proud 
of their independence, not silent 
or oblivious as Bill believes 
some Americans are today.


Donal Mahoney