... And the rest of him, hungry.

     Do you like to read?  I loooooove to read; kids' books, westerns, Christian Romance, history, science... you name it.  Years ago, I was a Librarian and my favorite job was when I could spend time in the childrens' section of the library.  I always enjoyed checking the books in and out for people, kids in particular, because I could kind of keep up with what everyone was reading.

     I don't recall if I've told you about this before, but one of my favorite authors, back then, was a man by the name of Jack kent.  Among other books, he wrote one called Round Robin.  There was a constant waiting list of about thirty people who wanted to read this book.  I kept thinking that I would have my chance to check the book out, if I was just willing to wait long enough.

     Well, lemme' tell you something about books and kids.  When kids find one that they like, its right next to impossible to squeeze into the waiting line to have a look.  Finally, I had to add my name to the waiting list so I would eventually have a chance to read the book, myself.

     This book is out of print, but you just might be able to find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, if you want to read it.  There's also the slimmest chance that you might find a copy to read, by checking into Inter-Library Loan.

     Just to give you an idea as to why Round Robin was so popular, here's the first sentence:  "In the beginning, Round Robin was just like all the other baby robins; most of him Head and the rest of him, Hungry."

     See what I mean?  Now, I ask you, could you resist reading a book that starts out like that?  I do hope you will do some research and find this book.  I truly believe it's something you might enjoy.  Happy reading and happy blogging.  And 'til the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

Seven Year Old Goes To Prison!

     Have you entered my drawing?  Maybe I need to put some kind of a link on the side to keep you all updated.  Now, if I can only figure out how to do that, I'll set up a picture or sumpin' er' other over there on the side.  The drawing goes until Tax Day; April 15th, at midnight. For a full break-down, go to this link.

     The prize is a full set of the books written by Donna Aviles. The titles of those books are:

          1) FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY

          2) BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN

          3) PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES

     These books tell the true story of Oliver Nordmark, who was an actual rider on one of America's Orphan Trains.  Donna Nordmark Aviles, Oliver's granddaughter and the author, takes us from when Oliver, at seven years of age, was sent to prison.  Prison!  At seven years old!  We see Oliver and his brother, Edward, snatched from their home and placed in a very strict orphanage... after Oliver spends time in prison, of course.

     If you haven't read these books, you truly don't know what you are missing. For your chance to win, here are the rules:

          1) Be a follower on my blog

          2) Be a follower on Donna's blog
          3) Get one more person to follow on Donna's blog

          4) VERY IMPORTANT!  Let me know on the post where I first mentioned the drawing that you have done those three things so I will be able to see all of the entries in one place.

     For seventy-five years, children were shipped by train to points unknown within the United States.  That so much history could have been buried and forgotten is beyond comprehension.  Donna Aviles does a good job of bringing us up-to-date on this hidden time in our history.  She is fairly new in Bloglandia, so let's give her a great big welcome by sending lots of followers her way, shall we?  And 'til the next time, keep a hug on.

~ Yaya

Books In The Water-Closet

     I work in a  H - U - U - U - G - E  office, the likes of which would drive you insane with jealousy, if you could see it.  Here, let me give you a mental image.  Close your eyes and picture, if you can, a room the size of two small water-closets... if your water-closet is a three-quarter, like ours is.  No, no.  Let me correct that.  This room is so big, it could almost be called a walk-in closet... except, its too small for that.

     "What's that," you ask?  Am I complaining?  No, of course not.  That's just jealousy speaking, isn't it?  I love my house.  Truly, I do.  I live in a big ol' 1906 Sears and Roebuck Kit House on two-and-a-half acres of land.  Not quite as much land as I would prefer, but I'm not complaining.  I consider my life one continuous blessing.  But that's another story.

     Okay, we were talking about my office.  You're jealous, right?  You wish your office were as big as two small water-closets, don't you?  Well, I'm really sorry you don't have this kind of luxury.  Yeah, I am.  Whaddya' mean?  No, I'm not being sarcastic.  I don't DOOOO sarcasm.  Why, you can very plainly see that I am just over-flowing with sweetness.  Look at this smile:  :-)  Now, I ask you, doesn't that look like the sweetest smile you've ever seen?  See?  I'm over-flowing with sweetness.

     Oh, yeah; the office.  So, here in this H - U - U - U - G - E  office, you know what surrounds me?  Books.  Books.  Books and more books.  And ya' know what?  I still want more books.  Yeah, its true.  More books.  Just as if I don't have enough, already.  Are you like that?  Do you live and breathe books?  Aw, c'mon.  You know you do.

     Don't you love it when you walk into a bookstore and the smell of new print meets you?  Inhale.  Deep.  Deep.  Inhale, deep.  There ya' go.  You're with me, aren't you?  Now, you're in the mood, too, huh?  You want more books.  Good.  Let's all meet at Barnes and Nobles.  They have bigger water-closets.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

Yaya

Thank you, Donna!

     Wasn't that just so exciting, yesterday?  Donna, I want to thank you, again.  Your books are amazing and I am looking forward (rather impatiently, I might add) to reading more about Oliver and his family.  It is amazing to me how he could be faced with so many challenges and still have such an upbeat attitude.

     Oliver has certainly changed my life with his positive attitude.  Donna, I know that your books will be read and enjoyed by many people for a long, long, loooooooooong time.  I'm so thankful for your kindness in being here and sharing Oliver's story with us.  Whatever you do, don't stop writing.

     So keep watching, everyone.  Donna will be back with more.  And 'til the next time, keep a hug on.

Yaya

Am I Normal?

     I like to read.  Do you like to read?  If I were to make a guess at how many books I've read in my life, I would prob'ly hafta' say at least two or maybe even, three.  Nah!  I really couldn't begin to make a guess, since I've read nearly every book I own and pretty-much all those I've given away.  There are some 2500 to 3,000 books that I own and at least that many, twice-over that I've sent to new homes.  Besides, my name is indelibly printed on many records in many libraries throughout our great country, so rather than guessing, I'll let you do the math.

     Having said alla' that, I've gotta' follow through by sharing what I believe are some of the best hours of my life.  Of course, Janette Oke and I have become quite well-acquainted through her amazing story-telling abilities.  Well, that is to say, she is deeply-imbedded in my heart.  There's just the slightest chance that she may have never heard of me, though.  Hmmmm.  I can't imagine why someone of such talent wouldn't have heard of me, of course, but you never know.

     A number of writer's who have contributed to the Christian Romance Market have shared my life and received emotional fanfare as a result.  I wish I had the time to name all of them, but I'm afraid you would be reading clear into next week and beyond, if I tried.  Janette Oke was the one who introduced me to that market, so naturally, I have read nearly all of her books more than once.  I've also read many other authors' books more than once.  When I find a book I like, I tend to wear it out.  There are some books I have had to replace a couple of times.  I'd much rather read than eat.

     Actually, I don't read books written for adults very often.  That is, unless you count Reference Books.  Those, I devour.  Most of my reading time is spent with picture books and those written for the under-twelve age group.  Of course, if you've been here before, you've heard me talk about the humor that is Junie B. Jones.  Perhaps you've heard of her mother, writer, creator?  If you want to laugh until you cry, read some of the books about that little Kindergartner.  My good husband and I have read a couple of her books and spent a good while together, laughing ourselves silly.  Did I mention that we're too poor for dates, these days?

     One of the authors whose books I never tire of is Barbara Brooks Wallace.  I often say I don't care for mystery, but this lady has captured me as a lifetime follower.  Of course, she writes for the older-younger set, but you know, they're still a very enjoyable read for many adults I know.  Books such as Peppermints In The Parlor seem to have enough of the old Nancy Drew mystery with a splash of Alfred Hitchcock thrown in that I keep returning, as do several other adults I know.

     Since it is not my purpose to make this post terribly long, I'd just like to leave you with the idea that if you have limited yourself to adult reading, especially mystery or blood, guts and gore, I think you've short-changed yourself.  Step out and see what some of the kids are reading.  You just may be glad you did.  Then, again, maybe I've just never grown up.  Whaddya' think?  I hope I'll see you in the next kids' book.  Until then, keep a hug on.

Yaya