Foster Meaningful Dinner Table Discussions with Kids and Young Adults

Author Kim Moog wrote ‘Food for Thought’ after seeing the impact open-ended exchanges with her children had on their character and confidence

When raising children, especially pre-teens and teenagers, parents can face tension when big topics are brought up and it can be challenging for them to navigate these tough conversations. Author Kim Moog, a parent herself, has recently published “Food for Thought: Raising Confident Kids One Conversation at a Time,” which is a guidebook filled with insightful questions for the dinner table to evoke critical thinking skills. These questions are posed to help develop independence within school-aged children by giving them a safe space to have their own judgment for various situations.

Struggling as a parent herself, Moog was inspired to start having regular family discussions with her children after playing an open-ended question game, Scruples, with her friends. Moog soon implemented regular discussion questions with her family at the dinner table and found that her children enjoyed these questions and even started to ask their own. Moog, with her own family, has proven how effective this communication tactic can be and hopes to help other parents raise children with good character and strong morals.

“Food for Thought” also contains discussion questions centered around faith, to help instill Christian values within children and encourage them to think about life with God in mind. This book can help parents raise children with integrity, courage and a Christ-centered mindset.

“In such uncertain cultural climates, my book can help parents, who desperately wish to raise children with strong character, discuss important issues impacting our world,” said Moog. “I hope to help them raise confident, faith-centered children.”

With the discussion questions presented in “Food for Thought,” parents are given the opportunity to both listen to their children’s perspectives and provide their own wisdom in a respectful manner, creating not only a dialogue between family members but also an optimal platform for parents to impart important family values.

“Food for Thought: Raising Confident Kids One Conversation at a Time”

By Kim Moog

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9646-9 (softcover); 978-1-9736-9647-6 (e-book)

Available at the WestBow Press Online BookstoreAmazon and Barnes & Noble.

 

“Earth, My Dearest” #NewBook #EarthDayEveryDay

Earth, my dearest, I will. Oh believe me, you no longer need your springtimes to win me over.” —Rainer Maria Rilke

earth day book

A new book, Earth, My Dearest, is an inspirational compilation of over 200 quotes around conservation and sustainability. Hopefully it will inspire people to treat the planet a little more respectfully, and further give inspiration to those who fight to keep the planet livable and healthy for all species.

Highlighting the wonders of our planet and ways on how best we can save it, Earth, My Dearest includes quotes ranging from poet Henry David Thoreau to activist Greta Thunberg. This quote collection will help show all of us how to cherish the environment and key ways to protect our fragile planet moving ahead to an uncertain future.

There is no time like the present to begin your environmentalism or kick it up a notch. We are on borrowed time, with species vanishing literally every day, and much more rainforest is destroyed then is left remaining. If we hope to have a planet, we better start working together and not just SAYING we care, but actually doing things that show that we care.

We need to show our children how much we love them and save their futures.

What have you done today to love your planet?

For inspiration, check the book out here or wherever you buy your books. Have a good day, love to all.

Life and Other Shortcomings, a book by Corie Adjmi

Corie Adjmi, award-winning author and women’s empowerment activist, harnesses the power and relatability of storytelling to help empower women in all areas of life in her award-winning book, Life and Other Shortcomings. Recently featured and reviewed by the Jewish Book Council, Life and Other Shortcomings, is the perfect gift-solution for any literary-loving (or even not) person in your life.

This book illustrates the stories of 12 women, all on a different path in life, with one common overarching theme: the beauty, honesty and compelling nature of the female experience and what it means to be a woman. Through each character’s intimate journey, specific truths are revealed about what it means to be a woman—in a relationship with another person, in a particular culture and era—and how these conditions ultimately affect her relationship with herself. The stories as a whole depict patriarchy, showing what still might be, but certainly what was, for some women in this country.

I’m only part of the way through it, and I’m liking that it highlights different women’s experiences. We all go through different things- that’s what makes us who we are- but very few women get through life without society’s patriarchal mess digging it’s claws in.  The stories, from somewhat subtle to more “in your face”, are really interesting to read, and I’m looking forward to finishing the book.

How Our Government Really Works—What Every Teenager Should Know

After such a wild election season, kids and teens might find themselves more interested or curious in politics. And if so- good on them. Let them read all they can, and not just about one side of things. Forming well read and  properly researched opinions will only make them better, smarter, and more empathetic people.

One book that has recently come out is a book that describes itself as “compelling, bipartisan insights about our country’s democracy. You Call This Democracy? How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People from author, speaker and public policy expert Elizabeth Rusch examines in simple terms our democracy’s missteps and how we can work together to create “a more perfect union.”

Some of the topics discussed are-

1. Why the race for president might distract us from the most important story of this election — ballot measures that affect our democracy

2. How COVID provides a surprising opportunity to finally do something about this country’s abysmal voter turnout

3. Important election topics people can discuss with family, friends and colleagues without starting a partisan brawl

4. What every American needs to know about how elections are run in their state

How Our Government Really Works—What Every Teenager Should Know

Whether you’re a student, parent, educator or engaged citizen seeking the truth, You Call This Democracy? How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People from public policy expert Elizabeth Rusch paves the way for every citizen to not only understand the flaws in our current democracy but to also fix them.

“We think we live in a democracy. One person, one vote. But how democratic is our government really?” Rusch asks. “The hard truth is that political power is not shared equally among all citizens. It shouldn’t matter if you are rich, poor, urban, rural, Democrat, Republican, old or young when you mark your ballot. Your race and gender shouldn’t matter either. But they all do.”

You Call This Democracy? gives an honest view of how our democracy truly functionswho really has the power and why (and how that power impacts politicians and policies) and how we can work together to make our democracy more responsive to the will of the people.

Consider the following:

1. Presidents can take office without winning the popular vote. 

2. Voting districts are drawn by politicians for their own benefit.

3. Millions of citizens—young, old, poor, people of color, women—are blocked from voting.

4. Money wields much more influence than the wishes of ordinary Americans.

You Call This Democracy? offers insightful solutions to undemocratic elements plaguing our government, with inspirational examples of citizens already working to make change. International comparisons, extensive sources and resources prompt readers to dig deeper ― and take action.

Supplementary materials to the book include Rusch’s “50 State Democracy Report Card” (https://www.youcallthis.com/your-state), where people can check to see how democracy fares in their state overall and on specific metrics, and how they can strengthen democracy in their state; and a series of short, fun, informative videos on the issues covered in the book, called Flash Course on Democracy, available free at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUOGZlteO6dRY7aQV1uqpddW1C1maGLxP.

Additionally, discussion guides and debate questions are available at www.youcallthis.com.

Elizabeth Rusch is the author of 20 award-winning books, and more than 100 magazine and newspaper articles. She is also the creator of the “50 State Democracy Report Card” and the video series Flash Course on DemocracyYou Call This Democracy?, an Amazon Bestseller, was featured in the New York Times Book Review and received a starred review from Kirkus, which called it “a riveting must-read.” Rusch and her work have also been featured in The Discovery Channel, Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Think Out LoudThe Wall Street JournalTeacher magazine, Parenting Magazine and Working Mother, among many others. Rusch has a master’s in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and has served as a Jacob K. Javits Fellow in the U.S. Senate. Visit her at www.elizabethrusch.comwww.youcallthis.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUOGZlteO6dRY7aQV1uqpddW1C1maGLxP.

You Call This Democracy? How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

ISBN-10: 0358176921

ISBN-13: 978-0358176923

Available from Amazon.com and wherever books and audiobooks are sold

For more information: www.youcallthis.com. Thank you.

New book, Life and Other Shortcomings

You have likely learned about these women in history books. But, have you ever taken note how female writers, authors and artists have continued to break barriers and take storytelling to new heights?

March 8th is International Women’s Day: a day to honor, celebrate and remember women and their achievements. To raise awareness against gender bias. To call for equality and justice.  To support women all over the world. While there’s a countless number of women we can celebrate, let’s take a moment to honor the women of literature… our female authors, writers, and poets. The women transforming the landscape of literature, one story at a time.

Corie Adjmi, award-winning author, doula, and women’s empowerment advocate, harnesses the power and relatability of storytelling to help empower women in all areas of life in her award-winning book, Life and Other Shortcomings.

Her book illustrates the stories of 12 women, all on a different path in life, with one common overarching theme: the beauty, honesty and compelling nature of the female experience and what it means to be a woman. Through each character’s intimate journey, specific truths are revealed about what it means to be a woman—in a relationship with another person, in a particular culture and era—and how these conditions ultimately affect her relationship with herself. The stories as a whole depict patriarchy, showing what still might be, but certainly what was, for some women in this country before the #MeToo movement.

Women writers are more than just storytellers… they are life’s narrators through the complex and beautiful perspective of the female experience. An experience that, for far too long, was silenced and overlooked. Authors, like Corie, use these experiences to help connect and empower women to never stop challenging the norm.

The Little Girl With the Big Voice

An inspiring story about overcoming bullying and achieving dreams

 

No one wants their child to experience the torment of bullying. If they do encounter this behavior, are they prepared to handle the situation? Knowing how to cope with bullying is a much needed life skill our children must learn to successfully navigate conflict.

The Little Girl with the Big Voice, written by Wė (pronounced Way) McDonald, is a book your child can relate to and may be helpful in starting conversations regarding bullying. The book teaches valuable lessons such as how to overcome adversity, and building self confidence. Written in Wė’s own words, the book is a powerful story about a girl who courageously embraces her uniqueness and finds her voice.

The book was engaging and illustrations well-done. My niece was completely attentive and asked questions as Wė’s experiences unfolded.  The Little Girl with the Big Voice is fresh and timely. However, I believe the book could have given just a little bit more strategy on conflict resolution. The book’s focus shifted from bullying to Wė being a contestant on the television program, The Voice. Definitely two books in one, which may be good thing for some parents.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Donna Andrews

Super aunt of a 7-year-old girl

When I’m Feeling Kind – Childrens Book

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By Trace Moroney

Helping people, listening to your friends, feeling good about yourself—feeling kind is all of these things and more. When I’m Feeling Kind (Insight Editions / $9.99 / March 2015) teaches young children about being kind and how to develop skills to identify and understand their feelings.

Each of the books in this series has been carefully designed to help children better understand their feelings, and in doing so, develop confidence and self-esteem as they grow. Talking about feelings teaches children that it is normal to feel sad or angry or scared at times. With greater tolerance of challenging feelings, children become free to enjoy their world, to feel secure in their abilities, and to be happy.

The When I’m Feeling series has been a worldwide success, translated into sixteen languages with more than 2 million copies sold. Each book includes notes for parents and caregivers explaining positive thinking and sharing simple examples of how to foster it.

About the Author:

Trace Moroney is an internationally acclaimed children’s author and illustrator. More than 3 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, and they are translated into 16 languages. Her best-selling When I’m Feeling series and the phenomenally successful The Things I Love About series have been met with extraordinary enthusiasm. Focused on creating “books with a conscience,” Trace Moroney embraces the principles of positive psychology. She lives in New Zealand.

About Insight Editions:

Insight Editions is a publisher focused on creating superlative illustrated books on photography, music, and popular culture. Lavishly produced and visually stimulating, every volume from Insight is dedicated to the skillful interplay of word and image. The books produced are unique works that combine the highest quality print production values with time-honored traditions of publishing and rich subject matter. Elegant and informative, books from Insight showcase the best of art and photography in exquisite presentations of the bookmaker’s craft. For more information, visit www.insighteditions.com.

The Ideal Woman – New Book About Finding Oneself

The Ideal Woman, a new book by Roy Espiritu, is not about what you might think.  It sounds like it might be about looking for the woman that one finds ideal, or who the ideal woman is, or how to become the ideal woman.  Instead, it is one woman’s journey, torn between two worlds and two cultures, two countries and two lives, where she is often put on a pedestal because of her looks but then looked at sideways due to her heritage.  She is often forced to walk a fine line, and trying to find herself and what she wants for her life.

The book follows the life of a woman named Pearl and her family.  It centers on Pearl, but because of the importance of her heritage, her family is a big focus as well. Pearl has a Filipino mother and white father, which causes strife between both families, although both adore Pearl. Pearl spends her time mostly in the USA, but also spends plenty of it in the Philippines, where many people apotheosize her for her looks. One family fixates on her, and wants her for their son.  A courting process begins, and Pearl has to decide how she wants to live her life and what she really wants. How she “behaves”, dresses, thinks, acts, dresses, even her family’s history comes into play.
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