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Posts Tagged ‘humorous’

As a canine lover the subtitle of the book caught my eye and even more so that the words of wisdom are being “told to” the author, Dr. Iris Bell. Knowing dogs are extremely wise, I was excited to read this book.

In the foreword, Casey B. Worrywart, Dogtor of Philosophy, explains that he sees himself as a “soulful fellow” and wants to share what he has learned while watching, worrying, thinking, and doing things. The author qualifies Casey being a special dog. He was an eccentric wheaten terrier, who lived to be 14 ½ years old, which became a true friend. Now, Bell shares Casey’s philosophy with the reading audience.

The book starts out with a short blurb about Casey starting out as a puppy and being nervous. He says “Mom [Iris Bell] had to help me get over my fears of rocks little by little in the narrow wash bed of rocks that went across the middle of our backyard. Eventually I felt safe enough to run all over the yard. But you can’t run free until you can jump over the wash, over hurdles…. Important lesson: 1.) Life has hurdles – make them as scary as you need to so that you have something important to overcome, but…2) Don’t eat your way through them.” Now, that’s a wise puppy! This is just the beginning. The rest of the book has wise, touching, and even some funny, quotes from Casey. And, on each opposite page there is a picture of Casey.

“Chew on Things – It Helps You Think” is a great coffee table book, or a book to give to a friend and, of course, a canine lover. Casey is a metaphor for our own lives and the words of wisdom that come from him remind us that life can be a joy, and as he says “Don’t let anyone stop you once you have your sights set on where you want to go.”

Dragon Lady

Cinda Anderson

Authorhouse (2004)

ISBN 1414056559

Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (3/06)

Dragon Lady is a story about a 50 something’s woman and her quest to find true love. It is written in journal style with her thoughts and memories of loves past. For some reason or other they were never the right one.

Now though, Patricia is on a mission to find her soul mate by the end of the year. Through most of the year she has no luck at all until she meets Conrad. He comes to work with Patricia’s bosses on a project and they meet when he arrives. There is flirting back and forth and finally Conrad asks Patricia to dinner. Her usual way of attracting men does not work on Conrad and she is dumbfounded by this. They date for several months and just when she is ready to give up, things turn around.

Patricia’s character is quirky and amusing. You just have to keep reading to see what she is going to come up with next. Conrad is the perfect foil for her. All the way through the book you find yourself rooting for the two of them.

It would probably be considered a woman’s book, but I think a man might enjoy it too. It is definitely a good lighthearted, feel good book.

Are you looking for a book to cheer you up and make you laugh? Well, you are not alone, as a recent psychological study on the American People indicated that our population is over stressed due to this recent Global Financial Crisis. What you need is a little humor in your life, well since Basket ball is in due to the election of a basketball playing President, why not hook up with a bit laughter about the game?
 
May I be so bold as to recommend a very good basket ball humor book? I was fortunate enough to meet one of the authors recently during my travels. The book had me in stitches from the first page. The book is:
 
“Basketball Humor” by Charles Hellman and Robert Tiritilli – Self Published, LuckySports, Palm Desert, CA – $4.95 ISBN 978-0-935938-38-8
 
This book is a wonderfully illustrated basketball humor book that will have you on the floor laughing in no time. It is 32-pages of absolutely gut wrenching humor. Even if you are not a solid basketball player or lack the level of skills in the NBA or of our famous celebrity created President, you’ll still love this book.
 
Indeed, it is perfect for a gift too, especially if you have basketball players in your family, all of us have at least one. I showed this book to a basketball player in our family and she absolutely loved it, she was cracking up and it was fun to see her having such a good time. She’s a great basketball player and even says she can easily take on the president and beat him with one hand. Think on this.
 

L.W. Lewis was born in 1942. He has a BS Degree in Zoology from the University of Miami (1964) and an MBA from Oklahoma City University (1978). He is a retired Air Force officer. As a navigator he flew B-52′s in Viet Nam. As a fighter pilot he flew A-7′s with the Flying Tigers. He was also an instructor pilot for the US Air Force. He served as an advisor to the US Army in Alaska from 1982-1986. During this tour of duty he became a Master Parachutist with 269 parachute jumps.

Lewis now writes children’s poetry. Along with performing poetry at many schools, Mr. Lewis has performed at several comedy clubs including the Blue Katz Club in Knoxville, TN and the Comedy Zone in Jacksonville, FL. His material is essentially the same for adults and children. His work is written “through a child’s eyes” and celebrates the innocence and imperfection of children everywhere. He is a single parent who raised three daughters.

Tyler: Welcome, Leonard. I’m glad you could join me today. To begin, will you tell us a little bit about your new children’s book “Poodles, Tigers, Monsters, and You” and why you believe it will appeal to children?

Leonard: “Poodles, Tigers, Monsters & You” is humorous poetry. Although it is marketed to children, the mix is about 50/50 with adults buying the book for themselves. Its appeal is the rhyme, humor, and brevity of each poem. I get letters from people with ADD and ADHD readers who love the book. I’ve also received several letters from people with autistic children who love the book. In the case of autistic children, it is the illustrations that are the attraction.

Tyler: Leonard, why are you interested in creating rhymes for children. What benefit do you think reading rhymes have for children?

Leonard: Rhymes help children read. If they like the poem they will remember it quickly. This allows them to read aloud to others and builds confidence in reading skills.

Tyler: Would you compare your writing to other popular children’s writers of poetry such as Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstein?

Leonard: Many people have told me that I remind them of Dr. Seuss. I don’t see the similarity myself. Most reviews compare my work to that of Shel Silverstein. Although my style is somewhat different, I do see the similarity.

Tyler: Did you have any influences from other children’s writers, and what were your favorite books as a child?

Leonard: I did not read much as a child. I had a sixth grade teacher who sparked an interest in poetry. From that time on I became a reader. In junior high I read mostly Edgar Rice Burroughs and H. G. Wells.

Tyler: What sets your book apart from other children’s books that are poetic?

Leonard: The humor does not condescend to children. I write on an adult level.

Tyler: Why did you decide to write children’s poems? It seems like an odd choice considering your military background?

Leonard: Just because one is in the military does not mean they don’t have a sense of humor. I have always liked poetry and would write funny poems to my children when I was away.

Tyler: What first got you started writing poetry?

Leonard: Shel Silverstein did. I was reading “A Light in the Attic” to my children. My sense of humor is a little like his so I started writing to my children. Some of the poems made it to school and children ate them up. This inspired me to keep writing.

Tyler: What do your children think about you being a poet? I assume they are adults now, but that some of your published poems are ones you originally wrote for them?

Leonard: I don’t think they consider me a poet. I was a military officer for most of their lives. I think they consider me a retired officer who writes poetry. They are my harshest critics.

Tyler: Will you share with us one of your favorite poems from the book and tell us why it is your favorite?

DOG FOOD

I fed my brother dog food

My mother is really mad.

I think it’s the best dog food

That he has ever had.

She screamed and called the doctor

Her eyes are filled with tears.

So I don’t think I’ll tell her,

He’s been eating it for years.

I like the poem because it’s a true story. My cousin and I would bring dog food on our camping trips. We did this until my aunt found out.

Tyler: Where do you come up with the ideas for your poems? Do they often have some basis in real life as with “Dog Food”?

Leonard: Many of them do. Much of my poetry is about everyday tasks and relationships. I’m often told by readers that a certain poem must have been written about a special person in their family.

Tyler: You previously published another children’s book, “The Tickle Tree,” which is also poetry. Do you see any major difference between the two books?

Leonard: I’ve actually published three books, the third being “Why Do Flies Eat Doggy Poop?” All three books are essentially humorous poetry.

Tyler: Our reviewer for “The Tickle Tree,” nine year old, Eric Zeda, said, “I didn’t know I liked poetry, and that poems could be funny, until I read this book.” Why do you choose to write poems that are funny?

Leonard: Starting children with funny poems gets them interested in poetry. We all like to read humor.

Tyler: Leonard, do you have plans for more books? If so, will you continue to write poetry and children’s books, or do you have an ideas of launching into different fields as well?

Leonard: I have a fourth children’s poetry book about half finished. I am also working on a book of “Kids Poems for Adults.” The book is actually writing itself. Sometimes I don’t feel a poem I have finished is appropriate for children but I like the poem so it ends up in the adult file. These poems are not vulgar but are about subjects that children don’t need to be reading. Below is the first few lines of such a poem.

TIME OUT

Daddy is doing time out,

But he doesn’t think it’s funny.

I guess that he was pretty bad.

He’s doing ten to twenty.

I’m also writing a sci-fi novel titled “The Chronicles of Blake Gray.”

Tyler: Leonard, I mentioned you also visit schools to present your poems to children. Will you tell us a little bit about these presentations and why you enjoy them?

Leonard: Presentations are like a “Comedy Club for Children.” The idea is to show them that poetry can be fun. Judging from the letters I get from students and teachers, it works well.

Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Leonard. Before we go, will you tell us about your website and what additional information readers might find there about your books?

Leonard: The website is LWLewispoetry.com. It is a way to contact me for school visits or to buy books and audio books on line. Children can also read poems and/or listen to them on line.

Today we are talking with Cinda Anderson, author of novel “Dragon Lady.” This bawdy novel is about an older woman, in spite of her doubts, searches for love and Mr. Right.

Juanita: Thank you for talking with us today Cinda. Please tell us, in your words, the story of Dragon Lady.

Cinda: Patricia was created so that readers could have some good giggles about her search for love.

Juanita: What inspired you to write Dragon Lady?

Cinda: I needed a break from more serious work. I felt like having some bawdy fun with a character who has sexual thoughts and fantasies as good as a man.

Juanita: How does Patricia, even with all her doubts, still manage to stay positive and have fun in her search for love?

Cinda: She has a quirky mind that is always focused on the next turn of the road. Her only true doubt is whether there is a dragon match for her in life.

Juanita: What life lesson/s does Patricia have to teach your readers?

Cinda: Have fun on the quest for love and acceptance.

Juanita: Who is the reading audience for Dragon Lady?

Cinda: This book is written for a general adult audience, both males and females have enjoyed advance readings. It’s a good beach book.

Juanita: Is there any of you in lead character Patricia?

Cinda: I would deny it, but friends will disagree.

Juanita: How about any of the other characters, are they based on anyone you know?

Cinda: Some of the events in Patricia’s life are based on fact. Others are pure fiction, a high school buddy inspired her family life.

Juanita: Give us a little history on your writing career?

Cinda: Dragon Lady is my third book. My other books in print are : “Voices of the Great Depression – The 1930′s”, “For the Deer Childrun”, and “Observations of an Idiot”.

Juanita: What is your inspiration and purpose for writing?

Cinda: I am inspired daily to write people’s stories that need to be told, and to impact society in a positive way.