Reader Views

Why Do We All Love Dr. Seuss?: Discovering the Mystery and Magic of an Icon

Article first published as Book Review: Why Do We All Love Dr. Seuss?: Discovering the Mystery and Magic of an Icon by Lois Einhorn, Ph.D. on Blogcritics.

“Why Do We All Love Dr. Seuss?” by Lois Einhorn, Ph.D., provides an interesting and inspiring perspective to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss! Dr. Einhorn offers her powerful insight into the magical words of Dr. Seuss. I was impressed with the connections she was able to make. Of course, it all seems obvious once she sheds light on those connections, but I know personally I would have missed out on many Dr. Seuss life lessons had I not read this book.

Some of the topics Dr. Einhorn includes are natural order, interconnectedness, balance, gratitude, respect, action, play and so much more. The chapter about the universe being one circle reminded me of how life is harmonious and whole. Dr. Einhorn says, “A circle has no borders, boundaries, or blocks, no corners, confines, or crevices… In an open circle everyone belongs.” That is powerful for adults and children alike. What comfort that must bring to young children just discovering the world.

Another chapter that spoke to me was chapter 11, “Gratefulness.” This chapter inspired me and reminded me to be truly grateful for my life, including my troubles. Sometimes simplicity carries great power and this chapter’s simple reminder served its purpose.

This book is sprinkled with thought-provoking quotes by interesting people, adding to the tidbits of wisdom throughout this book. My next read will be some of the old Dr. Seuss favorites so I can relive childhood joys with new insight. I will keep Lois Einhorn’s “Why Do We All Love Dr. Seuss?” as a reference for when I need to be reminded of how wonderfully whole our world is!


Why Do We All Love Dr. Seuss?: Discovering the Mystery and Magic of an Icon
Lois Einhorn, Ph.D.
Robert Reed Publishers (2012)
ISBN 9781934759585
Reviewed by Christine Watson for Reader Views (4/12)

Are You in A Pickle?: Lessons Learned Along The Way: Students’ Performance And Achievement Gaps

Article first published as Book Review: Are You in A Pickle?: Lessons Learned Along The Way: Students' Performance And Achievement Gaps by Patricia L. Pickles, Ph.D. on Blogcritics.

Educators serving in many different roles will find this book engaging and useful.  Dr. Patricia L. Pickles has been around the “education block” and offers helpful insights that allow educators to learn from her vast experience.  I found “Are You in A Pickle?” to be helpful in my role as a new private school owner.

Early on in the book, Dr. Pickles shares a few life lessons learned.  While all of them were interesting, I found one to be particularly powerful.  She says “To prepare students for today’s workforce, learning must be relevant.” This is very true because the needs of our society are constantly evolving, and education will also need to evolve to remain relevant.  This one life lesson is the main reason I left public education and started my own school.

Dr. Pickles provides valuable data that shows the reality of education and offers suggestions and advice for improving our current status.  In the book, there is a table showing the kindergarten readiness for different socioeconomic groups, and the importance of learning in the early years.  Dr. Pickles also asks some great thought-provoking questions in the book.  One in particular that struck me was “At the elementary level, are multiple intelligences embraced to determine and identify the unique gifts in young people?”  What are we doing for our students that will help them not only learn the skills necessary for the future, but to support them in strengthening their personal talents and gifts?

Dr. Pickles said, “A manager ensures that things are done right, but a leader does the right thing.”  As a school owner and leader, I found this statement to be one of the most powerful in the book.  She goes on to talk a little about a variety of great leaders in our country and world, and I was incredibly inspired to improve my own leadership skills.

Throughout the book, Dr. Patricia L. Pickles gives heartfelt insight along with facts to make “Are You in A Pickle?” a must read for educators in general, and school leaders in particular.  I plan to keep this book handy as a reference when I need a pick-me-up.


Are You in A Pickle?: Lessons Learned Along The Way: Students’ Performance And Achievement Gaps
Patricia L. Pickles, Ph.D.
AuthorHouse (2012)
ISBN 9781456796587
Reviewed by Christine Watson for Reader Views (3/12)

Russia’s Prestige: Historical Architecture

This is a very complete and concise volume of Russian architecture by a very talented writer. Mr. Parvaiz does more than just describe the beautiful architecture that is portrayed in the book. He goes the extra mile by giving the reader an insight into the history of the building. Beginning with Cathedral of the Dormition, to the Qolsharif Mosque, the chapters are descriptive and detailed. There is even a glossary at the end of every chapter that enlightens the reader to the terms used in that chapter.

Such amazing structures as the Catherine Palace in the Tsarskoe selo (the Tsar’s private city) are described with such detail that shows the author did his homework. He goes beyond the usual descriptions of the brick and mortar to include the reasons for its existence. It is this type of research that the author has done that makes this book stand out from the crowd of the usual architectural books.

The pictures are black and white, as would be expected in a book of architectural structures that date back as far as these do but that does not hinder the quality. The writing is top-notch and keeps the readers interest with the in-depth background and history.

The way the information is presented, with an in-depth history of the structures, makes it very interesting reading for everyone. He brought out some historical events that I had never seen or heard of in other books. It is general audience reading and full of wonderful pictures of all the old Churches and Cathedrals that are described and discussed. The cover graphics are appealing and the editing is a welcome change from most I have read recently. I enjoyed “Russia’s Prestige: Historical Architecture” and gave it my highest mark of an A+.

Russia’s Prestige: Historical Architecture
Kashif  Parvaiz
Outskirts Press (2010)
ISBN 9781432766115
Reviewed by William Phenn for Reader Views (5/11)

Liana Tips: Or More Than Most People Want To Know About Vines, Vine-Like Plants and Other Ramblings, Volume 2 of 2

“Liana Tips: Or More Than Most People Want To Know About Vines, Vine-Like Plants and Other Ramblings, Volume 2 of 2” is the second installment of author Gwen Kirtley Perkins’ extensive knowledge base on the subject of vines and related plants.  Like the first volume, she explores and expounds upon the where’s, when’s, how’s, and why’s of a myriad of different species.  Unlike the first volume, though, she takes on each plant and then delves into the details.  Organized alphabetically by ‘Family,’ she names a plant, then offers what type of stem, flower, fruit, habitat (noted as ‘range’), and miscellany.  For some, she offers colloquial synonyms and for others, she lists common names or generic names.  Throughout the pages, she includes autobiographical stories from her youth and marriage as well as poems, scripture, and quotes.

I found “Liana Tips…Volume 2 of 2” to be much more user-friendly than the first volume.  Being able to go to only one place in the book for information on a vine is much easier than going to several and having to navigate different lists just to get the basic information, which is what the first volume had the reader doing.  However, the headings under each plant weren’t standardized so you didn’t always get the same type of information from one plant that you did for another.  Granted, not all vines have flowers, for example, but lacking that heading under a vine left the reader wondering if it has simply been left out or if the vine didn’t produce flowers.  Having the same headings for each plant, even if the “Flowers” heading would have been followed with ‘none’ would have left no question in the reader’s mind.  I would have also expected the scientific name (in Latin) to be included as one of these headings but it wasn’t.  Further, some of the other headings weren’t self-explanatory so reading a heading like ‘Common and Specific Name’ and then having it followed by ‘Personal’ told me absolutely nothing.  Even with a college-level background in biology and an interest in genetics, I couldn’t grasp what the author was trying to impart.

I think what I found most difficult about this book was its use of random quotes, scripture, and poems, which regularly had no parallel to plants or nature in general.  They may have been favorite passages of the author’s and included as the book also serves as an autobiographic account.  I think the inclusion of these quips would have been much easier to navigate had they been located between species sections instead of in the middle of them.  While some are appropriately placed, there are many that aren’t.  I didn’t like starting to read about a species and then having it interrupted with an unrelated quote or a story, only to return again to the details of that species.  It felt disjointed and hindered the flow of the text.

As I said regarding volume one, Perkins writes with an enthusiastic passion for her vines and for her memories, which made the book charming.  Both “Liana Tips” volumes will serve as beautiful reminders of her love and her life for her beloved family and friends.

Liana Tips: Or More Than Most People Want To Know About Vines, Vine-Like Plants and Other Ramblings, Volume 2 of 2
Gwen Kirtley Perkins, PhD
Wheredepony Press (2011)
ISBN 9780981825243
Reviewed by Vicki Liston for Reader Views (10/11)

Liana Tips: Or More Than Most People Want To Know About Vines, Vine-Like Plants and Other Ramblings, Volume 1 of 2

“Liana Tips: Or More Than Most People Want To Know About Vines, Vine-Line Plants and Other Ramblings, Volume 1 of 2” is a collection of detailed information, drawings, and lists about these fascinating types of plants.  True to her title, author Gwen Kirtley Perkins supplies more than most would ever want to know.  She organizes the plants into different types of habitats, such as ‘watery,’ ‘wet,’ ‘moist,’ ‘dry’ and more and then further breaks down each category into very specific conditions like ‘field edges,, ‘forest edges,’ fence rows,’ etc.  There are also lists of rare vine species, native and introduced ones with regard to ‘invasive’ qualities, toxicity in humans and various animals, folk medicine uses, and an a myriad of other uses.  She continues the book with how to identify stem, leaf, flower, fruits, and other physical characteristics.  The book ends with a list of vines found in the Southeast portion of the United States and the scientific names in Latin.

“Liana Tips” is also an autobiographical account of Perkins’ journey into the world of vines and plants in general.  She speaks often of her childhood and of her marriage.  I had mixed feelings about these digressions.  While it was charming, it took the book off-topic quite often.  Just as an example, the ‘Introduction to this Book’ didn’t start until page 36, much further in than a typical intro section would be expected.  Another potential issue was that it was a mixture of fact-based information with personal opinion or preferences.  Her word ‘liana,’ for instance, is what she uses for ‘vines and vine-like plants.’  She’d come to use this term by discovering the word, ‘lianes’ (pronounced ‘lie-aye’ ns).  “Not particularly liking the harsh sound of that word and wanting a softer one, [she] kept looking.”  She later came upon the Spanish word ‘liana’ but changed its pronunciation to sound ‘more southern sounding.’  With this in mind, I would have a difficult time recommending this book to someone looking for fact-based information on these types of plants.

I did find the information written with a passion indicative of a deep love of the subject.  Obviously, Perkins is an adoring fan, even a bit obsessive, when it comes to these plants.  This gave the book an endearing quality.  There is no doubt that “Liana Tips” will be a treasured account of the 92-year-old author’s various hobbies and interests for her family and friends. 

Liana Tips: Or More Than Most People Want To Know About Vines, Vine-Like Plants and Other Ramblings, Volume 1 of 2
Gwen Kirtley Perkins, PhD
Wheredepony Press (2010)
ISBN 9781981825236
Reviewed by Vicki Liston for Reader Views (10/11)

The Human Hologram: Living Your Life in Harmony with the Unified Field

I found it incredibly refreshing to read “The Human Hologram.”  By demonstrating how modern science and ancient wisdom are connected, Dr. Robin Kelly presents a convincing argument to explain his theory that we are living in a holographic universe.    To support his theory, he provides us with Ten Guiding Principles of the Human Hologram.  The Fourth Principle, “Modern scientific and mathematical theory lends support to the theory that our universe is holographic. It follows that we, as part of the universe, must also be holographic. Modern Science acknowledges that pure information is fundamental to our universe.”  What this means to us, as both humans and holograms, is that we are actually able to play an active role in co-creating our future. In doing so, by combining our knowledge of modern science and the ideals of ancient wisdom, we can connect to a unifying field of consciousness that will enable us to transform our health and our environment.

In explaining how he arrived at this idea, Dr. Kelly heavily expounds upon scientific processes.  Having personally read many books that put a lot of emphasis on metaphysical ideas while throwing some scientific jargon in, I was pleased to see that Dr. Kelly utilizes his obviously extensive knowledge of natural physical laws and constants to show how “The Human Hologram” can be a reality.

While “The Human Hologram” presents a lot of complex ideas, Dr. Kelly presents it in a way that I was able to follow, even though my last science class was fifteen years ago! I felt that this book was beautifully written and I loved how the author showed that both eastern and western medicine can be connected. Utilizing a great deal of explanations, diagrams, case studies, compassion and a touch of humor, I totally enjoyed reading this book, and was excited to see that scientists are heading us in a direction where as individuals we will be encouraged to play a more active role in taking responsibility for our health and transforming our lives.    

The Human Hologram: Living Your Life in Harmony with the Unified Field
Dr. Robin Kelly
Energy Psychology Press (2011)
ISBN 9781604150629
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (7/11)

Choosing Simplicity

Our lives seem to be getting more and more complicated every day; fuller and fuller of experiences, things, challenges, emotions and events. Yet for all of this abundance, I’ve often wondered whether it ever makes us any happier, and I have reached the conclusion that more frequently than not, more of most things does not necessarily mean a happier existence. Let’s face it… sometimes all we need to feel on top of our game, and also on top of the world, are the simplest things - a child's smile, a hug from your spouse, a cat snuggling in your lap, a great book or a perfect cup of coffee...

So what exactly is it that would make us more contented, happier and generally more at ease with ourselves, and what exactly is our role in this process? Most of us could use some help in this area, and Steven Ayer’s book “Choosing Simplicity” would be a good starting point in this quest. Beginning with a well-written introduction, explaining his point of view and what really matters to him, the author takes you on a tour of one’s life with all of the Important Concepts, Challenges, Qualities to Cultivate, Qualities to Avoid and even the Business Applications. Those chapters are all written in an interesting format, starting with a list of words pertinent to the title, and each of those gets a separate little section, divided into three parts: a quote from somebody famous, author’s thoughts on the subject, and probably the most important of the three, the action.

It is that third part that invariably caught my attention, and its underlying, continuous theme of “you are responsible for yourself.” Ultimately, we have to make our own choices, and therefore it is even more important that we learn how to make the best possible ones. I will gladly admit that there were several areas pointed out by Mr. Ayers where I could definitely see some major room for improvement.

I have truly enjoyed this book in its function of a “guide.” Unlike many self-help books I’ve read in the past, this one does not so much offer exact recipes for a change as points the reader to segments of his or her life that could use some more work and attention. I never found the writing to be preachy or condescending, but rather encouraging and inspiring, and the Afterword was just an added bonus in its charming down to earth, let’s-keep-it-real manner. Whether you decide to read “Choosing Simplicity” in one sitting, or take it as a daily companion for support in changing what needs to be changed, it will not disappoint you.

Choosing Simplicity
Steven M. Ayer
AuthorHouse (2010)
ISBN 9781452095295
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (6/11)

Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric

A struggling economy has forced business owners and managers to do whatever it takes to keep making a profit:  cutting corners, reevaluating products, shortening shifts, and even layoffs.  After all, desperate times call for desperate measures.  However, author Mark Ryski sees most businesses as selling themselves short; working hard at advertising but not following through on the most important part – the customer conversion.  His mentality is one of ‘work smarter, not harder’ and his new book, “Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric” can show you exactly how to accomplish this.

“Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric” is an extremely thorough look at the science and principles of customer conversion.  For those of us unschooled in retail, it’s an eye opening education on how a business should operate.  Companies can spend a fortune on advertising but what about the follow through?  Even if customers come out in droves for a sale, why are the numbers still disappointing at the end of the day?  Ryski says there’s one critical piece that many retailers don’t look at or don’t bother prioritizing:  traffic data.  If potential customers take the time to come out to a store to see an advertised product, why do many of them leave without purchasing?  This answer can come from a myriad of sources but it can mean the difference between a ‘good’ and ‘great’ business day.

“Conversion” is broken down into three sections for easier incorporation.  Ryski spends the beginning of the book explaining what conversion is, why it is so important, why it is underused, and how businesses can take advantage of this data.  He goes on to specific examples of companies that have utilized these tactics and have applied them to their daily business practices with overwhelming results.  He also offers arguments against conversion usage and why these don’t stand up in the long run.  His second section concentrates on the ‘hows’ of traffic data extraction and what exactly can – and should – be learned.  Finally, his third section explains the application side of the data.  Why compile all this information and not use it effectively?  He concludes his book with the same arguments presented in the first section and reiterates that many companies still do not use this process to boost sales.  His use of graphs, charts, tables, and pictures throughout help drive his message and give specific examples of his topics.

Ryski spends an exceptional amount of time explaining his concepts in an easy to understand format.  For those of us less analytically minded, this material has the potential to become dry and difficult to read but Ryski interjects enough enthusiasm to keep it interesting.  While I don’t have a background in retail, I still found his theories fascinating – and I had no idea that attention to traffic detail would have such a profound effect on business success.  Well-edited, I found Ryski’s book to be eloquent, informative, and indicative of a professional expert.  “Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric” is a definite ‘must read’ for anyone in retail looking to make their business a true success.

Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric
Mark Ryski
AuthorHouse (2011)
ISBN 9781463414221
Reviewed by Vicki Liston for Reader Views (6/11)

The Financially Literate Teacher (or what you can do to get there)

In his book, “The Financially Literate Teacher,” Mark Peacock shows in simple ways how to teach students to become financially literate.  He mentions many of his own struggles and triumphs, which tells the reader that he has traveled the rocky road of financial ups and downs.  As a public school teacher, he shares perspective, which is powerful.  Often, a public school teacher is not seen as “wealthy” in the United States.  In reality, it’s a matter of perspective.  To a poverty-stricken third-world country child begging on the street for his next meal, a school teacher is very wealthy.

He takes on the topic of financial literacy as a layman, stating up front that he is no “expert” other than his own experiences and personal study of the subject matter.  While the material presented is not new, it provides that fresh perspective, which is a good reminder of what we can all be doing to not only make ourselves more financially literate and stable, but also being role models for the youth in our lives.  Mr. Peacock mentions that if we “open our minds to the possibilities,” we can make a real difference.

“What we fail to see we will fail to value.” This quote from Mr. Peacock’s book is a wise statement from the book.  He specifically relates it to school administrators and their vision of their employees, but this principle can be used in most areas of our lives, including our financial literacy.

“The Financially Literate Teacher” is full of valuable nuggets to be savored and digested as teachers, as well as role models for the youth of our nation.  I now have a clearer vision of how I want to implement financial literacy with my students.

The Financially Literate Teacher (or what you can do to get there)
Mark A. Peacock
AuthorHouse (2011)
ISBN 9781456757885
Reviewed by Christine Watson for Reader Views (5/11)

Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions

The field of medicine has traditionally served only to simply treat and heal.  Yet more and more, patients are looking for doctors who operate on a more broad and holistic platform, addressing more than just their physical needs and subsequent treatments.  Enter the Doctor/Minister.  These special practitioners not only look to prevent and alleviate disease but provide therapy for the soul.  Since very few books have been written to specifically focus on the challenges inherent with the dual nature of a Doctor/Minister, authors Glenda F. Hodges and Harold B. Betton hope to fill that void with their new book.

“Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions” presents interesting discussions on balancing the different ‘medical’ and ‘minister’ aspects of a Doctor/Minister.  They investigate what comes first - the physical or spiritual treatment – based on each unique circumstance and provide thorough examples of each.  They also offer valuable information on such important documents as living wills, advanced directives, and powers of attorney for healthcare with appendices in the back as illustrations.  Finally, career burnout and ‘thinking outside the box’ are addressed to inspire and advance the Doctor/Minister into a new and more profound level of service while nurturing the doctor’s own personal needs.

“Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions” is meant to be a handy pocket manual for the practitioner.  The large line spacing was a little frustrating to get past until I realized this…but it’s perfect for jotting down short notes and ideas on the go, especially if a separate note pad is unavailable.  Its small, lightweight size further adds to ease of use.  Many medical workers are in a constant ‘go’ state so having a book that is easy to keep in a pocket while moving from one patient to the next can be invaluable.  Meant for an educated audience, the language is concise and to the point - perfect for the dual purpose doctor.

Authors and Drs. Glenda F. Hodges and Harold B. Betton collaborate with over a decade’s worth of experience each to make sense of the questions and concerns associated with being both a medical healer and spiritual guide to their patients.  “Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions” is not only the product of their profound experiences but a follow up to their first book, “Spirituality and Medicine: Can the Two Walk Together.”  Well done.

Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions
Glenda F. Hodges, PhD, JD, MDiv and Harold B. Betton, MD, PhD
AuthorHouse (2010)
ISBN 9781452005614
Reviewed by Vicki Landes for ReaderViews (5/11)