PetPlanner: Taking Care of Pets

Having fluff of pure happiness in our home is such a fantastic feeling. Having something to take care of is such a fantastic thing to have. Pets are one of the things that can boost one’s happy hormones. The feeling of waking up to the sight of a precious creature waiting for you melts anyone’s heart. We all want to have pets that can make us feel safe and warm. No matter your preferences in pets, as long as you feel a connection to them, it can make you feel better in any aspect.

A pet is an animal you keep in your home to give you company and pleasure based on Collins dictionary. Pets give not only their owners happiness but also protection. Pets have been ordinary house helpers for a lot of people. Citizens of old age or disabilities have also used the assistance of pets like dogs. Along with Cats and Fish, dogs are the most common pets associated with pets. Yet a pet is not based upon its species, but it’s about the comfort, security, and happiness it can give you. Pets are always close to our hearts; it aches to see some of them mistreated and abused by some owners. It aches my soul to see animals abused because of specific uncontrollable actions that they make. 

Animals also have a life like us humans. As pet owners, we must take care of them more responsibly. If someone doesn’t intend to take care of their pets, they are not a worthy pet owner. One must understand how important life is, whether it is a human’s life or an animal’s. We need to make sure that all living life and creature on our planet acquires the best care. We can also learn from many scientific facts about dealing with animals properly. There is also some little advice that we can follow to know how to take care of our pets.

“Book about animals of all sizes and shapes”

Knowledge is the key to everything. We must garner a lot of information regarding our pets. The idea of “knowing” can help our brain formulate ideas that can benefit us and our pets. When we try to learn about our pets, it can help us in many ways. Reading books about animals of all sizes and shapes can help us become more caring. We can have the correct information as to what they are. We can gain information that can help us understand more about their needs- how to please them, make them happy, or provide us with the information as to why they act that way. A lot of the information that we can extract from reading articles and books about animals can affect our actions towards them. When we see how they live in the wild or their inhuman abilities, it can supply us with the correct mouth of appreciation needed to give a lot of love to them.

Feel Good Food

Humans or animals, we all love a portion of good food. We would always want to satisfy our belly over anything else. So when we have pets, we must make sure that our pets can eat delicious food. Serving them with foods that they like can make them feel good about their meal and towards you as their owner. Feeding them good food can help in pet to owner relationship. Your pet will trust you to provide them with good food, and it can help them see you as someone safe. Feeding them with food that can make them happy can also condition their brains to give them good food and be close to you.

Take your Time

Despite the busy schedule, every pet-owner must always make time for their pets. Owners must spend a lot of time with their pets. It’s okay if you go to work and leave your dogs at home, but it’s not acceptable that you are still neglecting them even when at home. As a pet owner, one must make sure that the pet owner can receive the right amount of love the pet is giving to them. So make sure to take time to your pets either to bathe them, stroll them, or even just admire them. 

Other Ways to Take Care

You must take your pet to regular check-ups to the vet and ensure that they are in good shape and health condition. You must also research the things that might irritate them and provide them with items that are good for their health and well-being.

Laughter is the Best Medicine: Benefits of a Good Laugh

A photobook of animals caught yawning can be funny and cute at the same time. Imagine seeing these cuties just staring at a space and yawning. A book about 100 corny dad jokes is a fantastic piece that will never fail to make us laugh. The cringe and happiness it can bring are undeniably good. Watching your favorite rom-com movie of the 90s can be added to the list of things that can make us cry and laugh. A hundred videos on YouTube or stand-up comedians just doing their things can be our source of laughter. Being with people around us, especially our family members, can be one of the best sources of laughter and happiness. Whatever could it be, we should always have a source of laughter. Laughter is considered the best medicine, and it is no joke. It feels so good to have a good laugh almost every day. 

Some people may find it hard to “laugh,” especially when they have been in the profound depth of despair for a long time. It is indeed a struggle to look for a good release of laughter when you are down. People have standard ways to laugh, like watching movies and listening to funny podcasts. Some people also watch shows like Going Seventeen to keep themselves entertained. So if you are struggling with finding a good laugh, don’t worry; it will come to you at the right time.

Based on Dictionary.com, a laugh is “to express mirth, pleasure, derision, or nervousness with an audible, vocal expulsion of air from the lungs that can range from a loud burst of sound to a series of chuckles and is usually accompanied by characteristic facial and bodily movements.” The act of laughing is our body’s response to positive things around us. So laughing is a good reflex that our body makes, and it has its benefits to our body and our mental health.

Stress Relief

Laughter is a stress reliever. Whenever we feel sad and down, we usually seek out laughter. It releases serotonin or happy hormones in our body. Laughter improves oxygen-rich air intake, stimulates the heart, lungs, and muscles, and increases endorphins released from the brain. It activates and relieves stress responses. Laughter can make your brain be stimulated and move ecstatically, so if you are having a bad day at work or school. You can look for your way to laugh, and it can relieve that stress you are feeling deep inside. Just make sure that you enjoy and try your best to get negativity away from you.

Soothe Tensions 

In life, we get unusual tensions from unknown circumstances. We tend to get tensed on most of the time. It’s hard to think about what to do when we have these tensions. Regarding apa.org, “Muscle tension is almost a reflex reaction to stress—the body’s way of guarding against injury and pain. With sudden onset stress, the muscles tense up and release their tension when the stress passes. Chronic stress causes the muscles in the body to be in a more or less constant state of guardedness.” So if you are feeling the same body tension, laughter can ease and soothe that feeling. When we have laughter, we will soothe the feelings of tensions in our body and make our muscles relaxed and comfortable in any circumstances. It can distract us but at the same time can ease the worries we are going through that may have caused the tension.

Immune System Improvement

When we laugh, it can become a vitamin. It can help for the improvement of our immune system. It can increase the level of healthy cells in our body. The immune system is the part of our body that needs to help protect us from nasty viruses. So we must be able to maintain an excellent immune system. A positive mind and body are needed to have a good and healthy system. Things like eating correctly, exercising regularly, and exposure to sunlight can help make our immune system improve. But laughing can improve that healthy body of yours even more. So we can be healthy if we have a good laugh. A good laugh can help us be happy and healthy.

Knock Yourself Out: Sleepover Etiquette For Children

Who doesn’t just love having sleepovers with friends? Most children and parents look forward to a child’s first sleepover. Not only does it give most children avenues to make friends or become closer to those who are already their friends, but it also gives some parents a break from dealing with their children. 

One thing that parents worry about regarding sleepovers is their child’s behavior. Most of the time, they fear that their children will misbehave and cause more stress on the host who will be taking care of them. Most parents would remind their child that manners are essential by reading books like Mariana’s Little Book of Manners for Children. So if they are already interested to learn how to behave well, here are a few rules you should teach your child before they would sleepover in a friend’s house:

1. Be Open

Different families have different cultures and practices. Because of this, you must teach your child to be open to food that they may be unfamiliar with. Reminding them that they should not be picky about the food on the table at the host’s house should also be done. Aside from that, they should learn how to politely decline food if they are afraid to eat it or are allergic to it.

Moreover, if the host encourages them to try watching a new cartoon or teaches them how to play a new game to be familiar with, they should learn to be more open to these activities as long as they are appropriate. Teaching your child how and when to say No if they become uncomfortable, but being open to new good experiences is a skill they should learn and practice at home before the sleepover.

2. Know the Rules

Being familiar with the host’s house rules is essential to respect the home of the person they are going to. Learning about some house rules they might need to know ahead and teaching them would be good. It is also essential to teach them to mirror the host’s behavior, such as taking their shoes off before entering a room would also be an excellent skill to help your child become more welcome in the host’s home.

3. Clean Up

The biggest issue with sleepovers is usually the mess children leave in the host’s home. Reminding your child to help do the dishes after dinner, clean up after making a mess or playing a game with their friends, and not to make a mess in the host’s bathroom are essential things that they should learn.

4. Bathroom Etiquette

Teaching your child proper bathroom etiquette such as locking the door while in the restroom, flushing the toilet after use, sitting properly in the toilet seat, making sure not to splash anywhere, leaving the toilet seat down after urinating, and the likes are important to help ease the burden of the host. When brushing their teeth or washing their hands, children should also be reminded to clean if they make a mess.

If the child takes a bath in the host’s home, it is essential to remind them to use their own toiletries and avoid dripping water everywhere. Teaching them basic etiquette like avoiding hogging the bathroom and using it for a long time should also be done to ensure that everyone could still have access to the bathroom, especially if many people would use the bathroom in the house.

5. Be polite.

Using polite words with their parents and friends in the host house should be something that they should learn. They could even practice this in their own home a few weeks before the sleepover. Telling your children to call elders with Mr. or Ms. followed by their family name will help remind your children to show respect to those around them.

6. Respect Space

Snooping should never be allowed in someone’s home. It is essential to teach your child to respect personal space and not open or enter rooms that the host did not lead them to. They should also be reminded to knock before opening the door to anyone’s room. Teaching them why respecting personal space is essential and not going through cabinets or drawers in a person’s room must be explained well to them so that curiosity will not get the best of them if left alone.

7. Ask Permission

If they need anything or forget to bring something, it is important to teach your child to ask permission before using something. For example, they should ask permission to call their parents before using the house phone or respectfully ask before connecting to the internet.

Self Aid Kit: Essentials for Better Self-care

The great Albert Einstein once said, “Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” Albert Einstein’s statements are empowering and truthful. Having limits are a typical human trait, but we need to accept such limits to move forward. Due to the imperfections, we may have self-doubt and self-taunting. This negative thinking can have a massive impact on our bodies and mind. 

With the vast popularity of media these days, such feelings may worsen. Society has created this “picture-perfect” image that we must have to fit in, and such an idea can damage our view of life and ourselves. The media is also a toxic place to commit mistakes. Due to the so-called “cancel culture,” accepting imperfection has become harder for people. Based on research, this thinking results in severe mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. This mental health concern is so sad to hear, and immediate aid is needed. 

With the statements above, we can say that adequate care is required for our minds and bodies. We need to take complete care of ourselves and neglect the negativity. We as a person should be able to know and accept our limits. So how can we do “self-care.” Self-care may sound like a huge word, and it may feel impossible for us to take care of ourselves with these negative thoughts we have to ourselves. So how can we start doing self-care? Let’s go through some essentials to start your “self-care”!

  1. Planner

You must know that this will take time, self-discipline, and perseverance to start your self-care journey. People won’t resort to self-care because they feel like it’s a waste of time, but trust me, a good self-care habit can benefit you now and in the future. Proper and maintained self-care can increase your happy hormones and make you healthier. 

Since you are still doing “self-care” or starting a new chapter of your self-care, it will be a struggle to fit it into your schedule. So you need a planner to help you look for spare time in your day to do self-care activities. You can spend between 30 and 1 hour each day doing self-care activities.

2. Yoga Mat / Pilates or Exercise Clothes

One goal in self-care is to be physically fit and active. You must have regular exercise to maintain your mental health. A good body equates to a sound mind and soul. You have to make sure that you can insert any physical activity into your schedule. When doing this activity, one of your needs is your Yoga Mat/PIlates. The Yoga Mat and Pilates can help those who can’t afford to have time to walk outside or go to the gym. But if your schedule can allow you to work out in the gym or have a quick walk around your area, that will be a plus. In addition, good exercise clothes can help you be motivated to do your exercise.

3. A Hammock

A Hammock is an oddly specific object of an essential but hears me out. When doing your self-care, you must have a place and a time just to sit and enjoy. It will be hard for workaholics or people who feel uneasy when they rest. As a part of self-care, you must appreciate and love yourself. You must let yourself rest; a hammock or an indoor swing can do the trick. A resting place is necessary for you. Amazon has hammocks and swings that could be of your liking, so you could start your hunt there for your perfect place to rest!

4. Self-Help Books

A self-help book is a definite must-have in your self-care kit. You may not be a bookworm or an avid fan of reading books, but this can help you. You need a thought-provoking book for self-discovery; these types of books can help your mind be more positive and out-looking. Self-help books are not your typical books, and they could be a checklist type of book or a more conversational type. So a self-help book is convenient and easy to read at the same time; it could leave a significant impact on your heart and mind.

5. Soft Pillows

Sleep! You need to have the right amount of sleep, not too much or too little, the right amount of sleep. A good rest can help you to have a positive mind and think. So it would help if you had soft pillows to sleep correctly. The idea is to what correctly is up to you. Just make sure it can help you sleep better. 

6. Few of your favorite things

Lastly, you need to have the things that you like, things that you enjoy, and make you happy. These objects are a must for you. Make sure to enjoy yourself, and we are at our best state when we are happy. We could buy headphones if we love music, buy a Netflix subscription if we love movies, or maybe buy our favorite meal at Mcdonalds whatever it is, as long as it can boost your energy. It is a must in your self-care tip.

Most people find it challenging to take care of yourself, so I hope you can start to take care of yourself with this bit of self-care essentials list. Always be positive and happy cause one day, that self-care you’ve been looking for will come right unto you. 

Meaningful Nonfiction Books Based on True Stories

Life is a paradox that many courageously attempt to ponder. There are many inconsistencies and contradictions, which may hinder an individual’s journey. But, despite the confusing aspects, it is still filled with things and opportunities waiting to be discovered.

Thus, many stories mirror the paradoxical quality of life. These tales become a reflection of a person’s drive, ambition, and way of living. At present, there are hundreds of thousands of books, typically under nonfiction, that tell true stories that bring so much meaning and enlightenment to others. That said, let us get to know some great books that are completely based on real events to inspire and bring out the best in you.

Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller

This award-winning book serves as a medium that helps people change their perceptions of sexual assault. Miller chronicled her personal experiences, from being assaulted by Brock Allen Turner while at Stanford to winning the fight by putting her abuser in jail. The trauma, oppression, and intense emotions that she felt after the horrible event was also illuminated in the book. Thus, Know My Name is a touching yet inspiring book that also calls into question the typical ideologies on acceptable things and reveals the truth to the thunderous reality of healing.

Real Prison Real Freedom by Rosser McDonald

Real Prison Real Freedom tells the anecdote of a notorious Texas inmate written by award-winning reporter Rosser Mcdonald. The author comprehensively wrote the biography of Rickie Smith, whom he had interviewed 30 years ago. It unravels how the most violent inmate converges with the despair and misery in the prison system and with their jail warden. Smith expressed his desire for freedom despite knowing it’s impossible and jail officials have told him that he will remain in prison. However, a shocking turn of events also surprises Smith.

Lessons in Surviving Suicide: A Letter to My Daughter by Vonne Solis

Author Vonne Solis put into writing her personal experiences of grief in this remarkable part memoir and part self-help book Lessons in Surviving Suicide: A Letter to My Daughter. After losing her beloved daughter to suicide, there were loads of questions with no concrete answers that swarmed her mind. But, as time goes by, answers, reflections, and acceptance start to emerge. Thus, this book becomes a guide to every bereaved parent on finding a way to manage the pain, accept the loss, and achieve healing.

Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford

This bestselling book captures the heartfelt journey of searching for identity and purpose and dealing with complex familial love. Ashley C. Ford grew up aware of the absence of her father while dealing with her distressed relationship with her mother. With her difficult childhood and adolescence experiences, she sincerely desires another shoulder to lean on, specifically her father’s. However, he was imprisoned for the reason that Ashley didn’t know. Entering adolescence without knowing how to manage the changes in her life and her body, as well as how to better her relationship with her mom, she began to rebel. Ashley’s life takes an unfortunate turn and allowing her to discover why her father is imprisoned. And, the truth shook her down.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Crying in H Mart is a critically acclaimed book penned by Michelle Zauner. It revolves around her personal experiences growing up as a Korean-American in Oregon, as well as her thriving with the typical Asian parent expectations. She narrates how they temporarily lived and bonded in her grandmother’s little apartment in Seoul and how she gradually lost her “Koreanness” as she grew up. However, after her mother was diagnosed with cancer, she began to rekindle her whole identity as an Asian American and allowed her to reacquire the wonderful things bestowed by her mom.

Going There by Katie Couric

Katie Couric wrote a moving, raw, and humorous book containing her personal life story. Going There is an excellent anecdote of a modern woman that successfully touches the hearts and draws intense emotions from the readers. Her impressive journey to fame, success, and stardom was traced back to her humble beginnings as a daughter of a journalist that inspired her every step of the way.

Must-read Nonfiction Books Before 2021 Ends

Reading is a great way of learning, and books are among the best tools for it. Whether you read for fun and enjoyment or because you’re required to, you still obtain loads of lessons that you can apply in life. Since literature is vast, it has been split into multiple categories to help readers choose their next reads. Nonfiction is one of the popular literary genres that offer facts, pieces of advice, lessons, and entertainment. And, if you are a fan of this genre and are currently looking for new titles to read before the year ends, then please refer to the list below.

Going… Going…: The Abduction of the Mind by Jack Weaver

Going… Going… : The Abduction of the Mind by Jack Weaver is a touching memoir about the story of a husband and his wife with dementia. It narrates how the author and his wife Janey fight Alzheimer’s disease with faith and love for fifteen years. The couple will bring you to a rollercoaster ride that will surely touch your hearts. Apart from that, you can see how they struggled, lied, cried, hoped, and dealt the disease with. An excerpt from the book goes, “The Alzheimer’s River that flowed between us has no bridges; it is cold and deep with a swift current that makes it impossible for either of us to cross over to the other; we are both very alone on our opposite shores.”

Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement by Rich Karlgaard

The illustrated edition of this remarkable book by Rick Karlgaard was published by Currency in 2019. Late Bloomers impressively shows how discovering an individual’s path later in life can become a perk to lasting joy and success. It is backed by extensive studies, personal accounts, interviews with significant people at different points of their lives; this book definitely uncovers the ways and moments when everyone can bloom to the fullest.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

This book reveals the personal experiences of the bestselling author Stephen King as he masters his craft, which is a great read for aspiring writers. The anniversary edition of the book was published in 2010 by Scribner. On Writing narrates the author’s childhood, challenging early career, terrible accident, and recovery. It also contains pieces of advice that inspire and empowers every reader. Thus, this is not only a memoir but also a master class that can help readers get a better grasp on Writing.

Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home by Nora Krug

Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home is an award-winning book penned by Nora Krug. It chronicled her journey of finding her way back home and looking deeper into her roots. The German author spent twelve years in America. However, being away from home extremely sparked her curiosity. Thus, she flew back to Germany and began to examine the concealed truth of her family’s history, especially during the war in Nazi Germany.

The Self-care Project: How to Let Go of Frazzle and Make Time for You by Jayne Hardy

This self-help book, published in 2019, is intended for individuals who have been feeling edgy for quite some time but still don’t know the reason behind the crankiness. The Self-care Project: How to Let Go of Frazzle and Make Time for You by Jayne Hardy gives everyone more profound information on the concept of self-care. It makes the readers discover the essence of taking care of oneself, dealing with your personal struggles, and practicing self-care in a practical way.

One Invisible Code: An Uncommon Formula to Breakthrough Mediocrity & Rise to the Next Level by Sharat Sharma

Sharat Sharma’s book titled One Invisible Code: An Uncommon Formula to Breakthrough Mediocrity & Rise to the Next Level is an inspiring book suitable for young and adult readers. It was published in 2020 by Notion Press. One Invisible Code encourages the readers to break away from normality, revitalize their hidden potential, and show amazing outputs. This book also presents an awesome step-by-step process that helps you properly forward both your career and personal achievements and successes.

Must-read Books that Help Rekindle Your Relationship with God

The best type of relationship is the one that never fades regardless of how hard circumstances can be. And, the infinite bond of God with His followers can be a good example. When people receive the sacrament of baptism, they become justified before Him and are already considered members of the Christian family. However, having faith in Him, turning away from sins, asking for His forgiveness, centering your life to Him, and answering His calls are among the other ways to become a Christian. All of those aspects are stepping stones for developing a good relationship with the Lord. 

But, there are moments that you somehow feel and notice that your connection with him starts to dim. It could be because of worldly factors. If that phase continues to progress, then brave yourself and look for ways and mediums to rekindle your relationship with Him. Reading Christian books is a great means of strengthening your faith in Him. Thus, listed below are some of the best titles that can help you cultivate a better bond with the Lord.

The Hands of God:  A Collection of Short Stories about God’s Intervention in Human Live by Judith Martin Alford

The Hands of God is Judith’s book about God’s Intervention in human lives. It contains multiple short stories that happened in real life and highlights the Divine intervention experienced by many. This book notably features proof that He is still showering people with blessings just as He did ages ago. Readers will surely become more aware of His love and presence through the many unexpected ways that He communicates with everyone. As a result, their connection with God will deepen and will lead to other great things, such as developing a personal bond with His son, Jesus Christ.

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene H. Peterson

In 2000, the 20ht anniversary edition of Eugene H. Peterson’s A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society was published by IVP Books. It highlights particular songs from the Holy Bible, specifically Psalms 120-134, to inspire modern disciples as they learn to develop and progress in worship, happiness, family, service, and more. Moreover, the author also wrote an epilogue wherein he speculates on the themes of this specific writing and his ministry all throughout the years since its first publication in 1980.

The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Timothy J. Keller

The New York Times bestselling author published, Timothy J. Keller, published another notable book titled The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith. In this book, Keller aims to help people get a better grasp of Christianity and utilizes the popular parable of The Prodigal Son to show the unanticipated theme of hope and salvation. It challenges the believers and the skeptics to view Christianity from another great angle.

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster

Richard J. Foster’s insightful and illuminating book Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth has helped a wide array of seekers to find a better and more vibrant spiritual life where happiness, peace, and a profound understanding of the Lord are well-blended. Moreover, this book looks into the core spiritual methods of the Christian faith. Foster also showcases those said ways or practices that will lead readers to the best and true roads towards spiritual growth.

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Martino Fine Books published the reprint edition of The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence in 2016. This book contains the teachings of the Carmelite friar, who was born Nicholas Herman. He entered the Order of the Discalced Carmelites as a brother or member around the 17th century. His teachings were compiled and turned into a meaningful book by Father Joseph de Beaufort. There are also significant letters and records of conversations that were included in the book. Its central message is the blossoming of awareness of the Lord’s presence, which is conveyed in the parts that try to elaborate on Brother Lawrence’s ways of obtaining His presence.

The Best Children’s Books That Hone the Skills of the Little Ones

As a parent, you already know that the early stages of development of your child are essential. It is a crucial time when they begin to mold and hone their skills. With the great demand of attention and effort in parenting, during those moments, it would be best to use different tools for help — like books. Every book features a story with strong messages that help kids further their physical, mental, social, and emotional skills.

There are, indeed, endless opportunities for growth and development that books bring. So, introduce and read stories together with your child to discover great stories, enhance the parent-child relationship, and hone various skills. Thus, refer to the list below of the best books that can fulfill your goals for your kid’s personal development.

Good Night by Natalia Padilla

A gifted 12-year old kid named Natalia Padilla authored and illustrated the classic picture book Good Night. The story helps both kids and adults learn about the vowels and consonants of the English language. Apart from that, Good Night also features several methods of developing the readers’ problem-skills, vocabulary, language, comprehension, and musical abilities. The book shows how music and reading can unlock the kids’ minds and open more doors for learning and creativity. Moreover, Natalia’s arts and books are proof that a child’s creativity and imagination can also teach and inspire others.

Round Like a Ball by Lisa Campbell Ernst

Blue Apple Books published the Nov. edition of Round Like a Ball by Lisa Campbell Ernst in 2008. It’s an interactive book that fully touches and enhances the inquisitiveness and observational skills of children. Also, it helps kids learn and identify shapes, colors, etc., and it promotes healthy parent-child communication. The book opens with the usual guessing game about something that’s round like a ball and is followed by offering several clues and visual hints for kids to actively engage with it. Furthermore, Ernst provides a gentle tribute to the Earth and a piece of advice to the readers to take care of and protect the planet.

Maybe Tomorrow by Charlotte Agell

Maybe Tomorrow by Charlotte Agell is a touching tale that helps kids develop their kindness, empathy, and social skills. It highlights the power of being a great friend during the darkest moments. Thus, this is the best book to help children understand the impact of losing a loved one and the value of putting themselves in others’ shoes. Agell didn’t fail to tackle the struggles of embracing a new environment, dealing with tight family situations, and handling another learning space. Maybe Tomorrow is definitely a timely story that allows kids to learn all those important things, especially during this world health crisis.

The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach

Persistence is as vital as patience, and, The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach successfully illuminates it. Being determined to pursue your goals and aspirations amidst uncertainties is essential in life that kids must learn and understand. The Little Butterfly That Could goes together with the author’s The Very Impatient Caterpillar and touches on how kids find it difficult to persist in the struggles that life throws at them. However, it also gives input on the biological factor in the migration of butterflies. With the vibrant colors, fun story, and engaging message, this book will surely motivate your kid to develop and hone their critical thinking and determination.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

This 2011 New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book awardee and Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor awardee was published in 2011 by Candlewick. I Want My Hat Back teaches the little ones how to be patient and polite amidst stressful situations. These values are shown after the bear courteously asks everyone that he encounters about his missing hat even after facing several nos. It also highlights the importance of memory and how vengeance can lead to mishaps, which were shown after a deer rekindled his memories.

Whether you intend to develop your children’s soft skills or technical skills, books are definitely the best and most convenient medium to use. These inanimate teachers can greatly hone your kids’ skills while offering fun and entertainment.

Tips in Writing a Heartfelt Poetry Book

Poetry is among the most aesthetic and ambiguous forms of literature. Its unique style and structure contributed to its captivating ability. There are many who fell in love with the art of poetry. Thus, these people either read lots of books under this genre or write multiple works expressing their thoughts and feelings. If you are one of the latter, then you should know that poetry is complicated. But, its complexities made it more captivating.

There are many things to consider in making poems, let alone making an anthology. That said, here are some of the tips that you should consider to write and create a touching poetry book.

Get inspired

Inspiration is essential not just in making poems but also in creating other forms of literature. You can observe how many renowned poets have their own reasons, ideas, and emotions that drive them to write the next bestselling poetry book. Therefore, increase your inspiration levels by looking for the best and simplest ways to be inspired. You can spend time with the people you love, read books from your reading list, revisit your childhood home, reclaim your passion, listen to others’ stories, and spend time with yourself. There are surely many options and methods; all you need to do is to pick those that can bring you closer to your goals.

Write your poems

The main star of your work is your collection of poems. So, start your writing journey as soon as your creativity and inspiration flow. You can write about anything that interests you, bothers your mind, pains your heart, makes you stronger, and among others. However, you have to determine the main components of your poems, such as the persona, diction, theme, meter, style, etc. In that way, you will know how to fit each idea and build imagery to every poem while establishing a clear poetic voice. The last and most crucial thing to remember is to enjoy the lengthy writing process.

Choose the best ones

To come up with the best anthology, you have to pick the best ones from your work. You may have written several poems that you think are worthy of being in your book. However, you should consider those that reflect your goals and purpose. You can refer to the successfully published poetry books, like the book about facets of life by Teresa Dye. From that, you can see how those published poets organize their works. Observe how every poem connects or is similar to one another so you can have a guide on how to organize your upcoming poetry book.

Come up with a motif

The theme of your work is as important as its content. It reflects on the whole book, from cover to poems, and is among the factors that entice the target readers. So, it is essential to come up with a motif that can match your chosen poems and can be conveyed in the whole collection. This means that the moment a reader picks up your work, they already can get a hint on what your book is all about. Moreover, the motif will enable the readers to get a better grasp of the narrative, imagery, and symbols found between the pages of your poetry book.

For example, in the book All the Wild Wonders: Poems of our Earth by Wendy Cooling, you can already assume from the title and the cover that its central message revolves around nature. Hence, you also expect that the poems could be about celebrating Mother Nature, valuing the Earth, and more.

Revise until perfection

As a writer, revisions are normal. Although it gives you an extra load of tasks, it will guarantee you flawless and more enticing work. Make sure to check your output from top to bottom and see what needs to be improved or deleted. There are many unnecessary things that you often inflicted in your writing without actually intending to. It could be because of the momentum or familiarity. Thus, take a step back and reevaluate your work with objective eyes. This process can go over and over until you achieve your goals. You must trust the process and allow changes.

How Your Story Significantly Inspire Others

Sometimes, the best source of inspiration is an intangible thing that has played a great role in a person’s life, like a story. And, sharing those tales can lead to a series of positive things that can impact how other people live their lives and see things. Thus, a simple tale can hugely affect, influence, and teach others.

At present, there are already millions of inspiring stories that have been published. The Beginning… The End… Anew! by Zedart Hodges, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou,  Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom are some of the books that have already inspired and moved the readers. Moreover, these works are often written with pure facts, but there are some that were mixed with fictional elements.

So, if you want to know the significant ways in how a story magically inspires others, then here are the things that can enlighten you.

It appeals to the human emotions

One of the best abilities of stories is their way of appealing to the feelings of its readers and listeners. When a tale is told, especially a real-life experience, it tends to evoke and stir up the emotions of the readers. Thus, there will be some that feel your pain, struggles, and misfortunes, while there will be others that feel happy and proud of how far you’ve gone and how much you’ve achieved.

After igniting a couple of strong feelings, your readers become compelled to make a move for reasons that are larger than you once pondered and realized. Thus, they become more inspired to take action because they have more fuel to do so.

It heightens curiosity

A great characteristic of a person is his innate hunger to know and discover things. Since everyone goes through different things at different moments, those who are still in their early stages of development might become more keen and curious about some aspects of the tale that’s being told.

Thus, readers who are entertained by your story will also be more intrigued by it. They will start to use their imaginations and other skills to better understand your tale. Moreover, with the questions brewing within them, they will be urged to look for answers. The answers that they will find will somehow become the means that will push them to continue learning, understanding, and acting.

It touches the hearts and minds

The heart and the mind are two of the most influential parts of the body. Little did everyone know, they do more than just their biological functions because they have the power to affect your emotions, thoughts, perspectives, and decisions. So, when you share your stories with the world, your readers and audience become more attached and impacted by those tales. Their hearts will be warmed, leading to the ignition of feelings of sympathy, compassion, and empathy. Their minds will also be influenced; as a result, they start to develop new outlooks, principles, and beliefs. These reflections and generalizations are inspired and are slowly being applied to their lives because of your stories that touched their minds and hearts.

It encourages and motivates

Motivation and encouragement are two of the most vital things in this lifetime. They act as the stimulant essential for people to perform at their optimum best. Unfortunately, there are moments that they become insufficient and or slowly wither due to multiple aspects. But with your story, you can boost your reader’s motivation levels and make them more enthusiastic to conquer their own struggles. Your tale will also remind them that they have the power and ability to make their own choices that will lead to a better and more enjoyable life. Thus, they will be more inspired and determined to face life each day.

It taps into the human experience

What makes stories connect to their readers is their capability to use the human experience to teach, motivate, and inspire. This particular factor makes your tale more relatable. There are many who have been and are still managing the same situation that you’ve experienced. The moment that you share your story with others, they will start to realize that they can also overcome every storm in their lives and can also live fully.

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