Tag: Poetry
Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words
By Sally Cronin
Book Blurb
Life’s Rich Tapestry is a collection of verse, micro-fiction and short stories that explore many aspects of our human nature and the wonders of the natural world. Reflections on our earliest beginnings and what is yet to come, with characters as diverse as a French-speaking elephant and a cyborg warrior.
Finding the right number of syllables for a Haiku, Tanka, Etheree or Cinquain focuses the mind; as does 99-word micro-fiction, bringing a different level of intensity to storytelling. You will find stories about the past, the present and the future told in 17 syllables to 2,000 words, all celebrating life.
This book is also recognition of the value to a writer, of being part of a generous and inspiring blogging community, where writing challenges encourage us to explore new styles and genres.
My Review
Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words is a beautiful collection of various types of poetry, 99-word flash fiction, and short stories that the author has written in response to various blog challenges within her circle of blogging friends. These are thoughtfully penned poems and stories that reflect upon life experiences and imaginings. That Sally Cronin is a master storyteller is evidenced in this heartwarming collection.
The book is divided into categories with something for every reader. If you like fairies, there is a section of poetry for you. The section All Things Human addresses aging and youth, beauty, greed, romance and much more. Do you like nature? The Natural World has poems to keep you reading. There are quite a few more categories of life experiences and other topics to pique your curiosity.
Flash fiction always fascinates me. So much can be said in very few words, and Sally Cronin is an expert at answering the prompt. Life’s Greatest Gift is one of these prompts. It is skillfully written with great tenderness. My Mouse is a flash with a hilarious twist at the end. I’m still chuckling over that one. Reunion is a touching response to the prompt. I couldn’t begin to tell you which of the flash fiction is my favorite.
My favorite short story was Great Aunt Georgina. It was heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. Of course, I don’t want to tell you what the storyline is, you’ll just have to read it yourself along with the rest of the varied short stories.
Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words is a book that can be read in one sitting or enjoyed over several days. It is a treasure trove of life tales in prose and poetry, all told with warmth, some humor at times, and often with the unexpected ending. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages. There is positively something here for everyone.
Author Bio
I have been a storyteller most of my life (my mother called them fibs!). Poetry, song lyrics and short stories were left behind when work and life intruded, but that all changed in 1996.
My first book Size Matters was a health and weight loss book based on my own experiences of losing 70kilo. I have written another twelve books since then on health and also fiction including three collections of short stories. My latest collection is Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words.. verse, micro fiction and short stories.
I am an indie author and proud to be one. My greatest pleasure comes from those readers who enjoy my take on health, characters and twisted endings… and of course come back for more.
As a writer I know how important it is to have help in marketing books.. as important as my own promotion is, I believe it is important to support others. I offer a number of FREE promotional opportunities on my blog and linked to my social media. If you are an author who would like to be promoted to a new audience of dedicated readers, please contact me via my blog. All it will cost you is a few minutes of your time. Look forward to hearing from you.
Web Links for Sally Cronin
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine (Sally’s Blog)
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Book Blurb, Author Bio, Author Photo, and Cover Photo are from Goodreads
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Children’s Books by Ali Pfautz
Smiles and Wiggles
By Ali Pfautz
Illustrated by Sara Grier
BLURB
Need some brain break ideas for the classroom? Want your kids to be active, but spend some time reading, as well? In SMILES AND WIGGLES: A YEAR OF IMAGINATIVE FUN, Ali Pfautz – The Story Lady shares some of her best poems and songs that encourage kids to use their imaginations. They might pretend to be falling leaves, firefighters going to a rescue call, or baby birds in spring. It’s a book for kids, teachers and parents, anyone looking for get up and move, creative, rhyming fun.
MY REVIEW
Smiles and Wiggles is a delightful book of poetry divided into five chapters of the four seasons and anytime. The poems are accompanied by suggestions and movement. The suggestions include activities that relate to and enhance the meaning of each poem. Movement explains optional motions to accompany the poems. This book has fun written all over it.
Author Ali Pfautz has a winner with Smiles and Wiggles. Parents and educators are encouraged to bring the poems to life by initiating play based on the suggestions and movements. Planning a party or playdate of any size with groups of young children? Smiles and Wiggles will keep children entertained while learning.
Do I recommend Smiles and Wiggles? Absolutely!
BOOK TYPE – Print – Paperback
PUBLISHER – Artistic Endeavors Press (2015)
PAGES – 42
GENRE – Children’s Poetry Book/Teacher Resource Book
No More Slooping, Sara Sue!
By Ali Pfautz
Illustrated by Carolyn Schallmo
BLURB
Sara Sue’s favorite food is soup. She eats it every day and she makes a loud slurping noise with every bite. The sound bothers her friends and family so much that they make up a word to describe it, slooping! Can Sara Sue solve her slurpy slooping problem? Find out in this playful story that mixes a dash of silly words with a pinch or two of tongue twisters. Plus, inside this Special Edition, you’ll find two of Sara Sue’s favorite soup recipes that you can make at home.
MY REVIEW
Sara Sue loves soup, any kind of soup, but her slooping is getting on everyone’s nerves. One day Sara Sue’s mother and father told her it had to stop! Sara Sue’s mother told her she had five days to learn to eat soup without slooping or her mother would never make soup for her again. How will she ever learn to eat her soup quietly!
Ali Pfautz knows how to keep a child’s attention and uses this silly made-up word as she tells the story. Sloop! Slooping! Just the sound of it will set off the giggles.
I highly recommend this five-star book.
BOOK TYPE – Print – Hardcover Edition
PUBLISHER – Artistic Endeavors Press (2014 original printing – 2015 hardcover printing)
PAGES – 40
GENRE – Children’s Picture Book
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ali Pfautz is a storyteller, teacher, and author known as The Story Lady. When she tells a tale everyone gets involved, becoming characters or providing sound effects. Ali encourages kids of all ages to move around and explore their imaginations. NO MORE SLOOPING, SARA SUE! her first picture book, now has a hardcover, special edition with soup recipes in the back. Ali also has a poetry compilation, SMILES AND WIGGLES: A YEAR OF IMAGINATIVE FUN, that is a great resource for teachers and parents. The book has 30 poems to encourage imaginative play in the classroom and at home. Ali’s latest project is a picture book celebrating the bravery of her little buddy, Ella, who suffers from a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa, or EB. Watch for BUTTERFLIES KEEP FLYING in late winter 2016.
WEBSITE – thestoryladyva.com
SOCIAL MEDIA – facebook.com/AliPfautzTheStoryLady and pinterest.com/thestoryladyva/
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