This is the third book in Charlotte Sebag-Montefiore’s repertoire.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Herbie and the T. Rex is written for children 2-6 years old.
SYNOPSIS
Herbie and the T. Rex is a short children’s story about “Herbie the Herbivore” and his friends. They go out together to get some nice leaves to eat when they are set upon by a T. Rex. Herbie and his friends have to think fast to get out of this situation.
CONCLUSION
This book is very nicely illustrated. Anita Schmidt did a wonderful job depicting the dinosaurs and the scenes. The drawings are age appropriate, colorful and delightful.
Herbie and the T. Rex starts off slowly but the plot develops rapidly. As the T. Rex approaches Herbie and his friends, Sebag-Montefiore includes an element of suspense into the story. However, the story line is disjointed and doesn’t flow well.
I wish Herbie had made friends with the T. Rex because I don’t want to teach a 2-6 year old child that violence is the first answer to a bully. Furthermore, some of the vocabulary used is not age appropriate.
⭐⭐
Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
SPECIAL MENTION – ILLUSTRATOR
Anita Schmidt is a mother of two and lives near the Baltic Sea in northern Germany. She studied graphic design and now works with Bright Children’s Authors and Illustrators.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Charlotte Sebag-Montefioreand Olympia Publishers for affording me the opportunity to review Herbie and the T. Rex.
Find out about Neil A. Ewart on his publishers web-site here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
The Tooth Queen is written for children 5-7 years old.
SYNOPSIS
The Tooth Queen is a very short children’s story. It relates the trials and tribulations of the Tooth Fairy and her work for the “evil tooth queen.”
It explains in a magical way, why it’s important not to have tooth decay.
CONCLUSION
This book is very well scripted and flows nicely. It is written in a rhyming prose, and the illustrations are both colorful and vibrant. Neil uses his story telling not merely to entertain but to educate. In this case he is advocating proper tooth care in a way that young children will easily understand.
I especially liked the picture puzzle. I had to go back through the book to find all of the pictures, which was very entertaining. Children will absolutely love this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Neil A. Ewart and Olympia Publishers for affording me the opportunity to review The Tooth Queen.
LITERCURIOUS CHILD FRIENDLY JOKE
Q. What does the Tooth Fairy use to fix a broken wand?
This work is directed towards every artist, student, parents of children or adults with mental or physical challenges and anyone wanting to reduce stress through creativity.
SYNOPSIS
The author begins by describing the many uses of art based therapy from a psychotherapeutic approach to psychological or emotional conflicted individuals. Leah Guzman clarifies the art therapist’s qualifications and the training that goes into making a professional clinician. In addition, she posits the wide ranging and varied benefits arriving from the application of art therapy exercises under the tutelage of a competent therapist. She further explains the historic beginnings of Art Therapy as a treatment for people with Tuberculosis in sanatoria during the 1930s to improve mental health and reduce stress.
She describes both the short and long-term goals that drive the path of art as a therapy. One example is the method of visual documentation of thoughts and feelings through art therapy. The therapeutic goal of the art work is to provide an insight into the inner angst of the patient. The art makes visible the cause of pain, stress or discomfort; be it emotional, physical or subconscious.
Leah Guzman argues that research conducted by Marcia Rosal, in her book Cognitive Behavioral Art Therapy (CBAT), provides data that supports the positive effects of CBAT. She further postulates that CBAT provides the most effective treatment for several psychological based conditions by: alleviating stress, increasing coping skills and the adaption of the environment to increase self-esteem and self-control, thereby building emotional resilience and promoting healing. She further theorizes that one of the benefits of CBAT identified by Rosal, is the increased ability of the patient to enhance and organize thought processes.
Essential Art Therapy Exercises covers all aspects of self-guided art based therapy and expounds the many benefits of employing a professional art therapist. It includes a chapter on useful materials for art therapy and the important need for an “art safe place.” A place where you can come and go and not worry about someone tampering with your art work.
Throughout the guide there are numerous examples of art exercises to try. One example that particularly conforms to the goal orientated approach is the feeling wheel (see Loc 511). Each exercise breaks down into individual components. The kind of exercise depends on the type of trauma or condition. For each one there are benefits and steps required to complete the exercise; whether it is pastels, paintings, sculpture or any other art form. Every exercise is accompanied by a brilliant full color photograph.
Essential Art Therapy Exercises concludes with a list of useful online resources which includes helplines for a range of emergencies. This is followed by a compendium of references, acknowledgements, and section about the author.
CONCLUSION
I found Essential Art Therapy to be a revelation in more ways than one. Everyone could benefit from some CBAT to ease the stress and tensions of these challenging times.
It would have been nice to see digital art included now that the price of the equipment more accessible. Digital art has additional benefits to traditional art methods in that the image can be modified relatively easy, duplicated and shared with ease. The inclusion of digital art could provide an additional dimension to a CBAT class, group or exercise.
I would like to extend my personal thanks to Leah Guzman for gifting me a new perspective on a familiar subject. This author deserves your support.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Leah Guzman, NetGalley, and Rockridge Press for affording me the opportunity to review Essential Art Therapy Exercises: Effective Techniques to Manage Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD.
I have just read Pen and Ink: The Renaissance, By Judith of artistcoveries.
Judith makes a forceful argument in defense of the Renaissance period in art. As I am also passionate about this period and because I very much enjoyed her work I wanted to share it here with you. Why not head on over to Judith’s site and enjoy a skillfully written and informed account of that period in art history. The Renaissance was so very important and those artisans fundamentally, changed the art landscape and influenced many artists who came later.
I have a feeling that this is not the last artistcoveries article I will be reading.
Judith’s article well researched and and captivating. I enclose a link so you can enjoy it also.
The Organ Thieves: The shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South by Chip Joones
IN MEMORIAM OF BRUCE TUCKER DECLARED DEAD ON SATURDAY MAY 25, 1968 AT 3:33 PM
Still waiting for an apology that will never come. R.I.P.
Title
The Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South
Author
Chip Jones
Publisher
Gallery/Jeter Publishing (August 18, 2020)
Format
Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook, Audio CD
Pages
400
Language:
English
ISBN 10/13
1982107529 / 978-1982107529
Imagine ‘House’ meets ‘A Few Good Men.’
AUTHOR
Chip Jones is a Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist. You can learn more about this author here or visit his Facebook page here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
The Organ Thieves has broad appeal. Everyone from medical students to senior professors and laymen alike will enjoy this work. Students of history, ethics, research fellows or anyone who wants to know more about the early history of heart transplants in the United States will find this book invaluable.
SYNOPSIS
The Organ Thieves is a compassionate retelling of events that introduced a new and highly anticipated advance in medical science. It’s a real-life drama of a radical new cutting-edge medical procedure, involving esteemed surgeons and a seemingly inebriated, impecunious victim of an accident. The apparent theft of the heart and two kidneys from a decent hardworking man, eventually resulting in a $1,000,000 lawsuit.
The subsequent trial spans the whole gamut of questions relating to ethics, motivations, incompetence and a questionable disregard for state law and patients care. The trial covered poor medical administrative practices, prejudice and ethical questions that still plague modern medical ethicists. All this set against the contextual history of medical research set in the segregated South. From the dark days of slavery and the Devil’s Half Acre, to the ‘demonstrators’ and the ‘resurrection-men’ of pre 1884, through to the mid 1990s.
CONCLUSION
The Organ Thieves is well-paced throughout, resplendent with historic detail, clear and concise prose that make for a work that is difficult to put down. I read the last 4 hours in one sitting and I was more enthusiastic in my praise and admiration with each passing chapter.
My only criticism is, I felt at times, there was an understandable bias exhibited by the author. Rather than simply presenting the facts, thus leaving the reader to make their own independent assessment, I sensed he was assessing the historic interactions by todays values.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Chip Jones, NetGalley, and Gallery/Jeter Publishing for affording me the opportunity to review The Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South.
Stephen J. Alexander is an educator and author. You can learn more about this author here, visit his Facebook page here or see him on twitter @DwarfPlanets5.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Peter and the Dwarf Planets is written for children 5-11 years old.
SYNOPSIS
Peter and the Dwarf Planets is a bedtime story for children. It relates the adventures of a father and his son, Peter, exploring the solar system. The father, Daddy, is speaking with Peter about the different planets when the subject of dwarf planets comes up. As Peter starts to drift off to sleep, he imagines a great space adventure with Daddy. They travel together checking out all of the planets on their way out to Pluto.
CONCLUSION
Peter and the Dwarf Planets is a very short book. The story starts in a rhyming fashion, losses it for a couple of pages in the middle, and then rhymes to the end. The flow is easy and great for small children. It teaches kids about planets, dwarf planets, and our solar system while entertaining them.
The illustrations by Laura Coppolaro are very nice. They are colorful, fun, and appealing. They make the book a joy to look at while reading. A child can use their imagination while viewing the pictures and reading/hearing the story.
Overall, this book is a joy to read. Anyone will love sharing this story with their young children at bedtime. I only wish it were a little longer. I can’t wait to see what Peter and Daddy get up to next.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
SPECIAL MENTION – ILLUSTRATOR
Laura Coppolaro is a professional illustrator. You can find her on Facebook here or if you have need of her skills, you can contact her here. Her LinkedIn page is located here.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Stephen J. Alexander and Olympia Publishers for affording me the opportunity to review Peter and the Dwarf Planets.
Dr Sabine Hossenfelder, PhD, is a physicist and a scientific writer. Find out all about her and her works on her website here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Students young and old, and all those who want to extend their knowledge of particle and astro physics will love Lost In Math. It is also a powerful tool for anyone wishing to increase their knowledge of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (CERN).
SYNOPSIS
Dr. Hossenfelder’s compelling discourse on the subject of physics is not the usual heavily analytical, numerically driven revelation that is difficult to comprehend. Its focus is on an a selection of interviews with varied illuminated physicists. Dr. Hossenfelder then discusses the interviews and provides her opinions and views. She believes totally in the a priori method of traditional science. Yet she understands the elegant math of nature is a beautiful thing. She cautions us to guard against believing without empirical based evidentiary support.
Dr. Hossenfelder posits that the tug-of-war between the empirical (hard facts) and the esthetics nature (soft elements) creates a stress for those struggling to find unity. It is these esthetic judgements that she credits as the driver of present day research.
Dr. Hossenfelder shares her acumen and her considerable familiarity with the subject in a clear and concise manner, and without recourse to seemingly bottomless equations. Her sense of humor, whist dry gives the book a certain lightness not normally evident from such an able scientist. Her informal method aids the demystification of the subject for non-mathematicians.
The interviews are interesting and informative, but it’s Dr. Hossenfelder’s opinions that take the work to the next level. Her eloquent elucidation on the status of theories and concepts are beautifully paced and completely engaging throughout. When she does feel that a concept requires a challenge, she does so in a compassionate manner.
CONCLUSION
Lost in Math is a solid read. It is tolerable even for those who avoid mathematics like the plague. Dr. Hossenfelder takes the time to verbally guide you through each topic, and you will almost never have to fear having to face down one of those pesky equations. You will have to endure a brief mention of leptons and quarks, but they quickly pass and are replaced with a discussion on dark matter and dark energy. I found myself falling in love with the totally engaging supersymmetry (loving SUSY). Forget your calculator, just jump in and enjoy this wonderful work. I guarantee you won’t regret it.
Lost in Math was the very best read on the subject of theoretical physics that I have read in quite some time. Dr. Hossenfelder’s humor carried the day by diluting the technically advanced concepts and explanations. The interviews are generally unremarkable, however her criticism of each is a revelation.
I do wish that the book had included more and larger plates. I would also have liked footnotes. That said, I found the appendices to be extremely helpful. Although Dr. Hossenfelder attempts to explain the mathematical and scientific method relating to the subject, those unfamiliar with basic theoretical physics concepts may struggle to follow.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Dr. Sabine Hossenfelder, NetGalley, and Basic Books for affording me the opportunity to reviewLost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray.
Historian and author Robert Grenville lives in London, England.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Students of history, urban explorers, history buffs, and scholars will find this hardcover of interest.
SYNOPSIS
Abandoned Cold War Places is a seminal work byRobert Grenville. He’s produced a simply magnificent coffee table book filled with over 180 pages of full color, high definition professional photographs. The images of long abandoned cold war locations are accompanied by a short descriptive text.
The post-war era spawned an arms race that created international tensions globally. As a result, there was vast investment in munitions and military resources. The situation continued from 1945-1991. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) subsequently became the Russian Federation. International tensions eased and the former cold war sites deteriorated; unloved and uncared for. As time passed, nature began to regenerate and reclaim the various landmarks. Historians, urban explorers and photographers embarked on quests to explore the former secret military sites. This is where Robert Grenville comes in to his own.
The authors pictorial work reveals the rigors wrought by the elements upon the former machines of war. The once pristine weapons are now forever tarnished and covered in flaking paint or rusted beyond recognition. However, they are still standing as a testimony to the futility of war.
CONCLUSION
Abandoned Cold War Places is the documentation of historic landmarks of the cold war era. Robert Grenville travelled the world compiling a photographic record of the discarded sites. His research depicts the devastation of these landmarks caused by 40 years of neglect. Ultimately, he’s created a photographic record of the insanity of war planning and all its ugly and disturbing guises.
I would have liked a little more information about the various locations, but overall it works as expected.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank Robert Grenville, NetGalley, and Sterling Publishing for affording me the opportunity to reviewAbandoned Cold War Places.
Anyone wishing to enhance their skillset in watercolor would find this work invaluable.
SYNOPSIS
Your Year In Art: Watercolor hales from the temple of art instruction from Walter Foster Publishing and follows their easy to use layout. The guide begins with explanations for the beginner. It starts with the basics and is accompanied by simple assignments for the aspiring artist. There is advice on how to control the intensity of color, color complements, mark making and an introduction to a range of brush designs. Each page has its compliment of assignments and practical examples of the method being employed. In addition, there are helpful hints and tips to further enhance the knowledge of the self-taught student. The pages have large full color, illustrations and photographs.
Kristin walks the reader through the diverse watercolor methods such as: blending, layering color, controlling saturation, how to use resists, the importance of leaving white space and the joy of monochrome painting. Also included are more challenging techniques such as: the use of negative space, the fun of playing with patterns, the use of black and white pigments, as well as examples of calligraphy.
The mid-portion of the book focuses upon the commonly known problem of “artist’s block.” Eventually every artist has a time when creativity seems like a distant dream and motivation lacks inspiration. This section contains a selection of inspiration re-starting exercises, or as she refers to it “jump-starting” creativity.
Inspiration can be found in many places. In Chapter 3, Kristinprovides examples on how to wet your artistic appetite. Going outside provides a myriad of inspirational sources for any art project. Everything from botanical subjects, to animals or other creatures can provide inspiration. For landscapes, the aspiring artist could paint beautiful serene country scenes, urban scenes or any element of those scenes. Essentially, the world is your oyster.
Adding a personal touch to any work to make it more intimate is covered in the 4th Chapter.
Last but not least, the 5th and final chapter covers the importance of basic perspective to improve your art work. It demonstrates the numerous ways to include movement to your art piece and how to depict water in your painting.
CONCLUSION
Your Year In Art: Watercolor by Kristin Van Leuven has distilled years of art experience into a highly accessible, clearly described fun and colorful format. I found myself fingering through the pages again and again to merely enjoy the illustrations and to check out the assignments. Walter Foster Publishing produces some of the very best books for artists and Your Year In Art: Watercolor is among the best of that unique stable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank Kristin Van Leuven, NetGalley, and Walter Foster Publishing for affording me the opportunity to review Your Year In Art: Watercolor.
Simon Winchester was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE), find out more about him here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Anyone interested in the Mississippi river and the attempts to control it.
SYNOPSIS
The End of The River centers upon the hydrological and historic ebb and flow of the greatest river in America’s South, the Mississippi. It focuses on a short stretch of the river near the Louisiana border. It describes the importance and influence of the varied control mechanisms that line the course of the river’s flow. It further explains the factors that over time have adversely affected the river’s natural meandering patters and the problems arising out of those changes.
Winchester calls into question the human influences, particularly those of the United States Corps of Engineers who are the guardians of the river. He challenges the effectiveness of every attempt to control the river citing the Great Flood of the Mississippi in 1927 and the futile attempts to prevent the following flood.
Of particular concern to Winchester are the actions of Captain Shreve and his hubris in carving a canal from the Mississippi across to Atchafalaya. Whilst it made the Atchafalaya easier to navigate, it raises concerns over the sheer volume of water ‘stolen’ from the Mississippi. He questions the ability of the Mississippi to continue its flow to the New Orleans delta due to the Atchafalaya diversion. More concerning is the potential and dire consequences of creating an interruption in the river’s ability to distribute the valuable life giving sedimentary elements from Nebraska to the deep South.
Winchester also identifies the increasing impact upon areas immediately abutting the Mississippi. He explains how human development around the river is impeding the ability of the land to siphon off excess water. This consecutively leads to increased water volume flowing directly into the river which results in greater levels of chaotic surges in the Mississippi. The combination of these influences leads to a never-ending war between the river seeking the path of least resistance and the United States Corps of Engineers trying to control it.
Winchester also briefly observes the huge cost of fighting this inevitable losing battle. He leaves us in no doubt that human geoengineering does not come cheap and its failure can cost lives and livelihoods.
CONCLUSION
The End of The River by Simon Winchester is a novelette created for Scribd. It is a substantial departure from Winchester’s other work and is closer to an in-depth magazine piece than a booklet. The work holds true to the high standard we have come to expect from Simon Winchester.
I wanted to love it, however the subject was neither compelling nor memorable. It lost something in its brevity. I felt it just wasn’t as satisfying as I had come to expect from Winchester’s written work. It wasn’t so detrimental that I would avoid reading any more Simon Winchester books, however I would think twice if they were in this format.
⭐⭐
Rating: 2 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Simon Winchester, NetGalley, and Scribd Originals for affording me the opportunity to review The End of The River.
