Tab's Fiction Pick: For One More Day by Mitch Albom

"This is a story about a family and, as there is a ghost involved, you might call it a ghost story. But every family is a ghost story. The dead sit at our tables long after they have gone."Mitch Albom.

It's an interesting premise isn't it? Are families full of members that no longer walk the earth? Do people who are no here still touch our lives? I think, in one way or another, those that have gone before us do touch the ground we now walk on. Even if we are not conscious of it. Even if we wish it wasn't so. We are apart of the thread of humanity. Apart of those who went before us and apart of those who are still to come. I wouldn't say that people in my past define me, but I would say that it would be possible to find their fingerprints in my life, even in some small way. Even if it was just because I chose not to be like them, or make their same mistakes.

But what if someone's passing wasn't the end? 

Mitch Albom plays the ultimate what if game in his novel For One More Day.

 

What if... you had one more day with the person you loved? 

What if there was another chance to say the things that weren't said? Hmmm....

I lost my grandfather last November. I think I said everything I wanted to say. I think he knew I loved him. And as his eldest granddaughter, I knew he was fiercely proud of me. I knew he loved me. I knew he thought I was beautiful. He said so. Often. And in the absence of my father's words, he made all the difference. I certainly knew he loved me. 

If I had one more day with him, I would ask him if he heard us talking the night he died. I would ask what it meant to him that we were there. And I would ask him what he was trying to say in those last deliberate mumbles.

But I have no regrets. 

I am keenly aware that his story came before mine. I think he lived a good life. Not perfect. But who is? I don't think I understood all there was to understand about him. I didn't understand all the stories he told. But I know his favourites were those he told about my grandmother. That I can understand. She is a remarkable woman. 

When I read Mitch's book, I cried. Not many books have that affect on me, but this one did. They weren't sad tears, just thoughtful ones. I was remembering my grandfather. And I was thinking of all the other people who are very much alive, the ones who sit at my dinner table and the ones who I call friends. I think of those I wish I knew better. I think of the things I want to ask them, but don't. For one reason or another. I think of those who ask me questions and the impact they have had, both the people and the questions, in my life. 

I don't want to have any regrets. But I am sure I will probably have some in this life. I just hope it won't be something I didn't say when I had the chance to say it. We don't get one more day with those we love. There are no more days to get to know someone once they are gone. I know this; days have numbers. We don't see them clicking over. But they are. Everyday. I hope I remember that in all my relationships. Days are very precious. People-more so. Ask. Tell. Show. Speak. Live life with those who make it worth the living. I want to show up. And dare to be present. No regrets. No "What ifs..." Because once they are gone, and they will go, there is never one more day.

William, Bill, Popo...RIP

You know I loved you.

And so did many others...

Reasons why Motherhood and Books are Nothing alike

Reasons why children and books are nothing alike. Did we need convincing? Random thoughts from my brain... 

1. When you put a book down it stays down. Mostly right where you left it. Ever tried doing that with a toddler who is determined to be picked up? Even tried telling a toddler, "Stay."

2. Books have a plot. My children have often lost the plot. Or is that me?

3. You can, if you so desire, skip through to find out how the book ends. How I wish I could fast forward and find out when the terrible two's will actually end, when the night waking will be over or how much longer it will be until food actually goes into the toddler's mouth with some sort of reliability, bypassing the floor, the walls and the dog.

4. Predictability, predictability, predictability! Even crime thrillers contain more certainty than children.

5. Finished the book? Had enough of the story? Relegate the book to shelf. Where exactly do you relegate toddler tantrums?

6. Books make nice accompaniments to a quiet coffee or a mellow red wine... enough said really.

7. If I don't have time to read, I don't have time to read. If I don't have time to clean up the spilt milk, change the nappy (diaper) or fix a dinner that won't be thrown at the dog... I make time.

8. Books find me in my 'happy place'. My children find me...especially when I am on the phone or need to use the bathroom. ALONE.

9. Sure, I could take a book to the bathroom... if I so desire. But what part of, "Mummy just needs a minute in here" is difficult for my children to understand?

10. I am able to understand most of what I read. If I don't, I can google it. I get the character's. I mostly understand what they need and want. I am still trying to decipher my toddler's screaming requests for, "blafthsa." Try googling that!

Okay, I'm done! I do love my children. I just needed a bit of comic relief at the end of today...and a good book and a nice red wine!

 

When NOT to give a kid a book

Okay, I know I have been carrying on and on about reading to children and getting kids hooked on books from an early age. But I was wrong. Not totally wrong. I just needed to add this disclaimer, because I didn't think of this morning's scenario. So, I am going to amend my views accordingly...

This morning (cold, 'late-night-last-night' kind of morning) my two year old woke at the crack of dawn...okay, it was 7:30am. I know, I know, that's a very reasonable time, but...it was the crack of my dawn AND it was cold... and...you get it, right?

So, I went in to my 'adorable-at-any-other-time-of-day' son's room and said, "Mummy loves you , but not right now." No, I didn't!

Instead I mumbled something about it being early and wouldn't he just love to curl up quietly with one of his little board books? Hey? Wouldn't that be nice? Just for Mummy? PLEASE?

I pushed a stack of books into his cot and tiptoed back out his door. 

Just...need...another...couple...of minutes sleep. PLEASE!

And...silence! 

I crawled back under my inviting covers congratulating myself for being so clever. Toddler's room was quiet. Mmmmm....more sleep!

Then I heard the sound of several books being thrown against his bedroom wall. But, wait. No crying...

Okay, he didn't appreciated the reading suggestion, but would he stay quiet enough to let me get some extra sleep?

Ahhh, no. 

The next thing I heard was the sound of squeaking. Yes, squeaking. The kind that comes from those cheap board books that some evil publisher thought need to contain a squeaker to entertain children. Clearly, the words and pictures in the book are not enough...

My toddler happily sat there proving such evil publishers correct.  For the next five minutes I listened while my son squeaked away. I was delusionally  hopeful that he may lose interest in squeaker book. No, Nup. Not at all. If I had said, "Darling, please sit in your cot and squeak your book for Mummy." Do you think that's what would have happened...not a chance.

So I have learnt a couple of lessons today. (And, no, one of them is not to go to bed earlier. When would I write? )

Firstly, all good squeaker board books should go to heaven via the bin. And secondly, choose books for early morning reading VERY carefully. AND lastly, there are some occasions when children do not need books.

Just wondered if there has ever been a time you regretted giving a kid a book??? 

No? 

When I Loved Myself Enough' by Kim McMillen

An amazing woman gave me this mind blowing  little book about a month or so back, and I haven't been able to put it down. It's a simple read crammed full of the kind of wisdom you only collect over many years of living. But the words are clear and warm, deep and inviting. It left me feeling like there was so much more I had yet to learn about the woman I am and even more to learn about accepting what I find within. Instead of trying to sit on who I am, I wonder about the freedom of just 'being'. 

In the introduction author Kim McMillen writes, "For many years I lived with a guarded heart. I did not know how to extend love and compassion to myself. In my fortieth year that began changing. As I grew to love all of who I am, life started changing in beautiful and mysterious ways. My heart softened and I began to see through very different eyes."

My own path has taken me through some dark places in life, but I am increasingly unwilling to reside in the past. As I look within I see someone worth knowing and I am beginning to set a table inside for all of me to attend. 

As I read this book I let the tears flow. I wonder how many of us have a few tears to cry over the person  that lives within us whom we have abused or denied? I wonder what it will take for us the stop and love who we are? My first act of self love (although I didn't know it at the time) was to start counselling. Kim writes, "When I loved myself enough I quit ignoring or tolerating my pain." Maybe for you it isn't pain, but something else you have been putting up with. I am no longer willing to say "it's okay." when in fact it is not.

Other words of wisdom that hug my heart are, "When I loved myself enough I started feeling all my feelings, not analysing them- really feeling them. When I do, something amazing happens. Try it. You will see."

"When I loved myself enough I learned to meet my own needs and not call it selfish."

"When I loved myself enough I quit exhausting myself by trying so hard."

"When I loved myself enough I began leaving whatever wasn't healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits-anything that kept me small. My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self love."

This book will take you all of five minutes to read, but it will stay with you long after you finish the last page. Highly recommend it! 

So thank you to the woman who saw me and knew where I was at- should she ever read this she knows who she is. :)

I wonder what words you would add to these pages?

When I loved myself enough...

The Power of Words

Recently a special friend of mine, who has been going through a difficult time,  asked me to write her some words that she could pull out and read whenever she was feeling low. I felt humbled that I should get a chance to write something that could encourage this amazing woman, and it got me thinking about the power of our words.  I am in awe that as a writer I get to add to my words to my world. That I should get to write about something and be read and heard. That I  get the chance to have my words in print where others read what I have to say. 

I began thinking of the words that have impacted my life.  

"Will you marry me?"

"We're pregnant"

"It's a boy!"

"You've got the job"

"You're the best, Mummy."

"I'm sorry."

"I forgive you."

"I love you."

The power of "No." The power of "Yes."

I think of words that uplift, encourage, empower, teach, question, inspire, motivate, inform, protect and restore. Words that create impressions, images and expectations. Words that build connections, influence our thinking and  determine our actions. I consider the link between words, thoughts, the choices we make and the lives we lead. 

Then I think of the words I cannot erase. The ones that can't be taken back. The words that burn. I think of words that are sobering, words that manipulate, conceal, chafe, control, smother, suppress, stifle, constrict, pummel, irritate, frustrate, tear down, wound, destroy, silence and even kill. I think of words that have hurt me as well as those that heal. I think of the words that dominate as well as those that free. 

"Words are, of course the most powerful drug used by mankind." Rudyard Kipling

And I consider this; in many ways words weave the threads of our lives. God Himself has much to say about the power of our words, the unbridled tongue and the life and death of what we speak.

Writers use words as the tools of our trade. But, don't we all? I wonder if we underestimate the privilege?

Words should come with warning labels and age restrictions, and for some people, dosage recommendations and over dose helpline numbers. Perhaps such labels should also state: never use under the influence of alcohol and possibly refrain from using while operating heavy machinery. 

Words; user be aware. They are powerful little vessels. 

Possum Magic by Mem Fox

Holiday Fun with an Aussie Icon

Recently I hailed Australia's very own Tim Winton and his novel 'Breath' , so I thought it only fair to select one of my all time favourite children's book authors to profile.

Mem Fox is really an icon of the Aussie picture book world and I think most of us would know of and possibly have read 'Possum Magic'. Grandma Poss and little Hush have moved into the hearts of many children and their parents since it was first written in 1978. Did you know that the book was rejected by publishers 9 times before Omnibus books in Adelaide picked it up? The publishers wanted the title changed ( it was originally called 'Hush the invisible mouse') and the main characters went from being mice to the possums we now know and love. The books was finally published in 1983. Since then it has sold a whopping 3.5 million copies world wide. Persistence pays off in the writing world! Mem has now written many other amazing stories for children including 'Where is the Green Sheep?' and 'Boo to a Goose'. 

Find out more at www.memfox.com

So, soon as we are all on winter school hols down here, I thought I'd  suggest some great activities that you and your little ones can do with this picture book. I used to love reading this to the children I taught in Hong Kong and the USA to introduce them to some of the great foods we love down here. Not too mention some of the cute and furry wildlife we share this great land with. My kids and I now adore it.

Activities with 'POSSUM MAGIC'

1. Read the book! Don't forget to do the voices and get totally lost in Hush's quest for the right food.

2. Bake the food. Mem's website has many of the recipes for food found in her book, including ANZAC biscuits and Pavlova. Just a funny note on that, when we lived in Denver we tried cooking the pavlova and ended up with a rather flat slab of mixture that never rose to the appropriate fluffy white expectation. Apparently when cooking waaaaay above sea level one needs to adjust recipes, times for cooking and temperature- none of which we did!

RECIPE for LAMINGTONS

1 cup butter

1/2 milk

3 cups SR flour

4 eggs

Method

Beat butter, sugar & eggs. Add milk, then flour and beat well. Bake in a large square cake tin for 45-50 mins (180 C or 350F)

When cold cut into 3 inch squares and cover with icing (frosting)

Icing (Frosting)

1kg (2lbs) of icing sugar & 4 tbl spoons cocoa. Work in 250g (1/4lb) of butter, then slowly add half cup of hot water to thin it. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Place bowl with icing mixture over a bowl of hot water to keep runny. With a skewer hold each piece of cake and dip in icing until completely covered all over. the toss it in shredded coconut. Eat. Enjoy!

3. Find out more about possums. Visit your local library for some great non-fiction books.

4. Make your own possum hand puppet. My boys loved this one. It's very easy.  make a paper funnel with card, then draw on eyes (or glue on goggle eyes) on either side of the pointed end of funnel. The make two small ears (cut out round ovals and squeeze in half) and tape to funnel just back from eyes on either side. Then curl piece a thin of paper  around a pencil and stick on for the tail at the back of funnel (or use string or wool) Put funnel over hand and there you have it- a paper possum!

Local Fun with BOOKS

The Queensland State Library is hosting 'The Queen of Colours' a performance for under 8's based on the picture book by Jutta Bauer. The show features painting, shadow puppetry and video projections. It's one from June 30 -July 4. Times: 9:30-11:30am. $8 per person or $35 for 5 tickets. Check it out at www.slq.qld.gov.au/whatson/events/children

FAQ's about reading to children

Here's a list of questions I was often asked as a teacher about reading to children. Hope you find this interesting...

1. What age is too young to start reading to my child?

No age! Really. From birth on. Before if you like. You don't even have to read a children's book. I used to read the paper to my son when he was very little. It's just the whole being snuggled up with you and hearing your voice that they love. Apart from the wonderful relationship building, it's a great way to make reading apart of life from the get go.

2. When should I read?

Whenever. I try to make it apart of our daily routine. Many parents read a bedtime story or read a book before nap time. Books are also great things to pull out when you have an upset, unsettled child. I also carry books in my bag to read if I happen to be out and stuck in some long line at the supermarket or waiting at the doctors office with wriggly kids.

3. What should I read?

There are plenty of great suggestions for age appropriate books just right for your child. Librarians are happy to offer advice, so are teachers and bookstore staff. My advice is read whatever your child loves. I happen to loathe some of the crappy books my son picks up in discount stores, but he loves them and so away we go... reading, reading.

4. Where should I read?

Okay, I have some specific advice here. Children will not be inclined to curl up with a book if there is no quiet place in your house for reading to occur. One parent asked me why her daughter would not concentrate on stories. I asked her where they read and she said the lounge room...with the TV on (even on mute) and others walking in and out. I would suggest a regular reading spot that the two of you can curl up together with no other distractions competing for their attention. I read to my eldest son on my bed and my youngest on a comfy chair in his room. Quiet, snuggly and away from toys, TVs and possibly other siblings.

5. How long should I read?

As long as you are both enjoying it and not so long that either one of you starts to feel this is a chore. One father told me very proudly that he read to his children every night for half an hour. His kids were two and six. His eldest son was in my class and hated reading. I wonder why! Start with one book, keep it short and fun and they will come back begging for more. I now have  a limit on the time I read with my sons, otherwise they would never get to sleep! Isaiah especially would have me reading till midnight :) 

6. But they want the same book over and over again!

I know, I know. I hear your pain. I cannot look at 'The Poky Little Puppy' without feeling ill thanks to Isaiah's obsession with the book when he was three. But this is exactly what you want. Children learn to read when they are confident in their knowledge of familiar words and story lines. Seeing the same words and hearing them read over and over may send you to the edge of sanity, but children really need to hear stories read multiple times if they are to learn to read themselves. Isaiah began to pick out repetitive words like 'the' and 'Poky Puppy' from this text. This all adds up to pre-reading skills and will immensely aid you child in learning to read unfamiliar texts. Isaiah couldn't believe the word 'the' popped up in so many other books!

7. Is it too late to start?

No...and yes. The earlier you start the better. But, if your child is now 13, then yes you have probably missed the boat, simply because they won't see this as valuable and will think they are way past being read to. If your child is reading to themselves already and you haven't established a love of spending time together reading books then you may already find they are struggling with reading and the last thing they want to do is spend more time practising with you. IF you have  boys start reading to them young. Later they will have so many other more physical things they would rather be doing and statistically boys struggle with reading the most

8. What age should I stop reading to my child?

Never. I am serious. As long as you and your child are enjoying this time together and want to continue, the benefits are immeasurable. My mother read to my sister and I until we were in our early teens. I just like listening to her read and enjoyed spending time sitting beside her while she read a novel aloud. We would then discuss it and pull the plot and characters apart!

My own son has been reading for almost 2 years and together we now read chapter books. Some of these he could read for himself, but he loves snuggling up next to me. And I get the opportunity to read more difficult text that he could not read for himself, but is keen to understand. If your child is only reading to themselves, they will only read what they can read. Makes sense. But if you read to them you can choose books just above their reading level and advance their knowledge of words and meaning behind text even further. 

9. Do I need to teach them something while I read?

No. Definitely not. Just by reading and enjoying books together you are already 'teaching' far more than you realise. If they ask questions by all means answer them, but the key is to have so much fun that the two of you can't wait to do this 'reading thing' again.

 

If you have any other questions please leave them in the comments and I'll get back to you, or email me at tab@zaeya.com

REMINDER: Free picture book give away if you join as a follower and leave me a comment. This will close at the end of the week. You must click the 'follower' button and your image should show up. Thanks :)

Hail a Great Australian Author

Miles Franklin Literary Awards

Winner announced

Lovers of fiction if you have not heard of this author I want to know, where you have been? 

On June 18th, at a gala dinner held in the State Library of NSW, Tim Winton was announced as the 2009 Miles Franklin Literary Award Winner for his novel 'Breath'. Winton made his debut in the Australian literary world by winning the Australian/Vogel award in 1981. His second book 'Shallows' won the Miles Franklin Literary award in 1984, he won again in 1992 with 'Cloudstreet' and yet again in 2002 with 'Dirt Music'. This latest win makes it merely the fourth time the dude has pulled this award off in his career so far! 

The Miles Franklin Literary award is the most prestigious award for fiction writers in Australia. The award was started in 1954 to support Australian writing talent. 

Tim Winton's novel 'Breath' is "a story about the wildness of youth- the lust for excitement and terror, the determination to be extraordinary, the wounds that heal and those that don't- and about learning to live with its passing." (Angus&Robertson Review)

I happen to adore the work of Tim Winton and am half way through reading this novel. I'll post my thoughts when I am done. 

So, hats off to Aussies that rock! Especially those that write :) 

Well done Tim our man!

Top 10 Picture Books

Picture Books I recommend For Children 

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

This book is a classic! Take one ravenous caterpillar add a week of eating and hey presto- a butterfly!  Exposes kids to concepts like repetition in text, days of the week and numbers. 

2. Rosie's Walk by Pat Hutchins 

Another classic. You have to love the blissfully ignorant chicken in this book! Great for talking about the pictures because the text does not tell the whole story.

3. Some Dogs Do by Jez Alborough

Oh, poor Sid! If your heart doesn't melt over this tale I want to know why! And remember, some dogs do...

4. We're going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

This book will inspire some bear hunts of your own- or not! Kids love the anticipation! And I kind of feel sorry for the bear.

5. Dinosaur Roar! by Paul and Henrietta Stickland

Lovers of crazy dinosaurs, this is your book. Contains great concepts like opposites and plenty  of  descriptive language.

6. Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen

Who indeed?! Kids love trying to figure out who it was. Contains great concepts about sinking and floating and plenty of rhyming and repetition- great for later reading skills.

7. Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox

We should all listen to the 'Hattie's' in our lives! Again great repetition in the text. I often use this book to encourage children to make predictions in text. Another beginning reading skill.

8. Too Many Pears by Jackie French

Laugh out loud fun! Don't read it if are battling morning sickness or feeling squeamish. But kids just adore Pamela and her pear obsession. 

9. Bamboozled by David Legge

How I wish I had a grandpa like the one in this book! Kids love finding all the crazy, impossible things going on in the pictures. Another great book for talking about the pictures.

10. The Magic Hat by Mem Fox

I have always believed that a little imagination is a most realistic thing to own. My kids walked around with 'magic hats' for ages after we read this one!

Well, my list could go on and on. But they're my favourites and the ones I have used as a teacher and enjoyed with my own children. So- Enjoy!

Want something FREE?

 Leave a comment telling me about your child's favourite picture book and be a follower of this blog and I will choose the best comment and send you one of these picture books for FREE.

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Why You Should Read to Your Children

The Read Aloud Miracle Starts at Home

For those of you who don’t know I was, in my life before writing, a teacher, both here and in HK and the USA. And I mostly taught the little ones; those under six years of age. I would watch as parents crossed their fingers, eagerly anticipating that ‘magic first year' when their child would learn to read. Then they waited while we teachers worked our miracles.

But I am about the explode the myth. If parents have not started the reading aloud process before they send their children to school, it is almost too late. As shocking as it seems, teachers are not magicians. Honestly. We try. We definitely appear to be pulling rabbits out of our hats and if you have even been in a prep classroom you know that we weave wonders that make teachers of upper school stand in awe and parents take their hats off. We have tricks up our sleeves like getting a class to line up and walk to library without losing anyone. If that doesn’t sound remarkable then you have never attempted this with a bunch of highly excitable four and five year olds. But here's the thing, the read aloud miracle MUST start at home.

How NOT to Have a 'Bob'

One year I taught this child, we'll call him ‘Bob’, because I have never actually taught a Bob. Bob was an ‘energetic’ young man, who seemed more interested in the colour of the walls and picking at the carpet than focusing in class. Despite my best efforts by the end of term two, Bob could not recognise any letters of the alphabet. 

I referred him for learning support and further testing. Results indicated that Bob did indeed have a few learning difficulties. I arranged for ongoing support for Bob and a meeting with Mrs Bob's Mummy. My first question to her was, ‘What books does Bob like to read?’ This may seem a strange first question, but bare with me.

Her answer astounded me. “Oh, we don't read to Bob. He’d prefers to play football.” 

"Not at all?" I asked aghast.

“No, I never really had time for reading and he’s not interested.”

To cut short what ended up being a very long conversation between me, the open-mouthed teacher, and Mrs Bob’s Mummy, Bob’s house contained no children’s picture books.

None. Nadda. Zip. Not one.

Mrs. Bob's Mummy vaguely remembered reading to him once or twice. Suddenly Bob’s reluctance to read and his preference for carpet picking, wall staring and football was becoming decidedly clear.

Bob had never known the sheer joy of being curled up beside the adventures of wild bears nor had he ever been lulled to sleep by the comforting nature of rhythmic language. He had never known the pleasure of giggling about dogs that fly or the hold-your-breath giddiness of going on a bear hunt. He had not cried wonderful tears over grandma pig’s passing or felt the plight of Augustus' search for his smile. And he had certainly never had the pleasure of meeting farmer brown and his cows that type.

Reading was work. School work. Reading was full of letters that didn’t make sense. Reading was practice with Mum when he could be playing football. No wonder this child picked up books like they were foreign objects.

Obviously, Bob had other things working against his ability to learn to read. But honestly, I could have slapped his mother up side the head.

What can you do?

Parents, I cannot say this loud enough. Read to your children. Often. All the time. Whenever you can.

You don't need to be a teacher. In fact, don't try to be a teacher. Just enjoy. Laugh. Cry. Muse. Think. Question. And then, laugh some more.

Children who arrive at school with no love of reading, no desire to curl up with books, no understanding of the patterns of the English language, rhythms in text or the shape and look of words are going to struggle. BIG TIME.

We teachers are mere mortals. Not magicians. Parents are the ones who start the reading miracle. Life long readers are learners who are likely to be successful members of society. Reading aloud matters. A. WHOLE. LOT.

Besides you just might meet Eddie’s teddy or discover how dinosaurs say goodnight!

For a list of books that I highly recommended as both a teacher and a mother please see my side bar.

The Power of One

The BOOK 

www.brycecourtenay.com

The 'Power of One' By Bryce Courtenay. 

In the name of perfect literary taste I really could not start this blog with any other book. 

The READER 

You! Really, if you are breathing this is the right book for you. Lover's of fiction requiring a good dose of 'little beating big' will be in sheer heaven. If you are not addicted to Bryce after this I want to know why!

The GIST

This novel introduces us to a young Peekay and his country’s beautiful, yet scarred landscape of demons and imperfections. It evokes stunning and simultaneously horrifying images of South Africa in the 1940’s. Remembering that Hitler's shadow has just been cast over much of Europe. 

Peekay, the only white child in the Afrikaner boarding school, is shocked to discover that he is the enemy and he embraces camouflage to survive. Racism and the complications of perceived human inequality are displayed in the adult world around him. A world that is not only out of his control, but also largely beyond his innocent understanding. 

If you aren't crying over the chicken in this book and feeling the heaviness of the 'loneliness birds' or getting lost in the 'night country' then something is wrong with both your tears ducts and your beating heart. I wanted to gather little Peekay in my arms! It is a challenging portrayal of the world through a child's eyes and begs consideration for the disregard of how confusing and frightening things often appear for children. 

Bryce so skillfully highlights the inconsistencies in the 'grown-up world' and the stark contradictions inherent in hate based belief systems.

Peekay is fortunate to meet Hoppie, the first to ignite hope and change the course of circumstance in his young life. The mental shift from ‘victim’ to ‘purposeful survivor’ is echoed in the book's mantra; 'little can beat big.'  Bryce explores the darkness of inequality through the suppressed screams of each unlikely hero who enters Peekay’s life.

The fighter within me sided with Doc, the German piano player and Geel Piet, who teaches Peekay the art of boxing with your head and heart.  

I began pondering the frailty of human existence and the ultimate show down of both independent thought and boxing gloves as innocence begins to triumph over corruption, even as the novel reveals the inner pain of many of Peekay’s tormentors. Violence wins over violence. Perhaps there is a fine line between the use of persuasive strength for the rights of freedom verses forceful manipulation and abuse?

Ultimately, I was left considering how blinded we often are to our own agendas and other’s sufferings. The work of hate is often subtle. What dangers there are in living an unquestioned existence marred by mediocrity. 

Bryce uncovers humanity’s use of camouflage for both survival and ignorance and confronted both the ugliness and magnificence of human interaction in an unashamed and unapologetic novel.

A seriously amazing read.

The OBSCURE

In his own words in an interview with ABC radio on their 'Talking Heads' program back in 2006 Bryce said, "I wrote the 'Power of One as a practise book. And I finished it, as I recall, in a year and 17 minutes... And I tied it up with twine and used it as a doorstop in the kitchen. Eventually it was discovered and, of course, it has now sold 7-odd million copies in 11 languages world wide."(Link to ABC interview)

Need I say more? I wonder how many writers wish they could say that of their first book?

"What's in the box by the door, Honey? Oh, Nothing. Just a little something I typed up."

Wordaholic Meeting

Wordaholic group leader: Welcome all. We have a new member here tonight. I’d like to let her introduce herself.

(Intense staring. Sound of my metal chair scrapping as pushed backwards, spotlight swaying overhead.)

Me: Hi… my name is Tab, Tabitha really, but you can call me Tab. I am only ever called Tabitha if I am in trouble and then other words are used like...

Wordaholic group leader: Yes, okay. Observe first rule of group, Tabitha. (Points to long list of rules print on massive poster.) Answer with only necessary amount of words.

Me: Oh…well… I have been obsessed with words since… um, ever I can remember.

Group: (all in chorus) Hi Tab.

Wordaholic group leader: That’s a long obsession. Can you describe for us how it began?

Me: I blame my mother. She read to me from a baby.

Group: Oooo

Me: Yes, and she wasn’t the only one. My father read to me as well.

Group: oooo…ahhhh

Wordaholic group leader: And when did you first notice that this was becoming an obsession?

Me: Well, I didn’t think of it like that at first. I mean, what’s the harm in a few little picture books? But before I knew it I went from being a social reader to sneaking my flashlight to bed so I could read under the covers. I found myself reading at all hours of the day and night. I just couldn’t control the urge.

Group: (Outbreak of mumbles and whispering behind hands.)

Wordaholic group leader: Now, now. That's why we are all here; to support each other. So, Tab, what would you say the fascination with words looks like in your life now?

Me: Um…well I have to confess… I now read to my own children.

Group: (Gasps!)

Wordaholic group leader: Have you tried doing something else when the urge to engage with words hits you? Like painting maybe, they say a picture is worth ten thousand words. Or sleeping? Can’t read when you’re asleep.

Me: I tried sleeping, but I end up reading by lamp light till three in the morning. It gets worse. I write too. I have notebooks in every nook in the house and car, I can use a pen until it actual runs out of ink and I am in the process of editing my first manuscript.

Wordaholic group leader: (packing up chairs and ushering other group members out of the room) Um... I don’t think we can help you. (Slams door)

 

Me: (Cross yet another group off list. Resign self to life long love of reading. Decide to feed obsession for words ever chance I get.)

 

Care to join me? If one picture is worth ten thousand words, what might the worth of ten thousand words be? Any thoughts on your own literary obsessions?