Since my first post for Non-Fiction Monday was one for a younger crowd, I figured I should throw one in for the older kids as well. There are lots of “anti-smoking” books out there, aimed at all different age ranges, though this is presented in a quick, easy to read format that is actually interesting, rather than preachy.
Let’s Clear the Air: Reasons Not to Start Smoking is not written by any one particular person, though it does include a foreword by Christy Turlington. She explains how she first started smoking at 13, why she did it, and how and when she quit. The book then goes on to list 10 reasons why kids should not start smoking, each reason having its own, individual chapter. Each reason also has an except from a child or teen, explaining why that particular reason is meaningful to them. There are also fast fact blocks included every couple of pages, describing consequences of smoking, as well as descriptions of specific activist movements in history surrounding smoking and cigarettes.
Overall, this book is filled with facts, some simple, some rather gruesome, all of which are great reasons not to start smoking. The parts that will really hit home to kids are the personal accounts written by real kids for the teens and older children reading the book. Those written accounts are what make the book go by so quickly and actually make it an enjoyable read. Let’s Clear the Air is an excellent book for schools and libraries to have on hand for kids to pick up just to read or as the basis for a project on anti-smoking.
I just spent the weekend with my family and the excitement about the Giants making the Superbowl for the first time since 2000 was palatable. So I decided to do some research and see what my hometown team could do between now and next weekend to ensure a win. I found Michael Gleeson and Ronald J Maughan’s The Biochemical Basis of Sports Performance had my answer. Their book describes the biochemical processes involved in energy provision for different sports events and the way in which limitations in the energy supply can cause fatigue and thus limit performance. Below is an excerpt I hope will help the Giants! (more…)
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Are you an ILLUSTRATION ATHLETE?
Do you exercise your creative talent?
How?
It would be interesting to hear how others out there create an environment that encourages their gifts or talents.
Like any olympic swimmer, runner, or hurdler, there are obstacles to overcome in our everyday lives that may hinder our progress.
Are you ever burned out, facing ridiculous deadlines, worrying about an editor's comments?
In my own way I deal with these challenges on a day to day basis. But the most important aspect of my illustrating life is the time spent each day drawing, observing, painting, or photographing. Maybe it is the 'ink in the blood' syndrome, but for me a day isn't complete without a drawing either begun, finished or somewhere on its way to completion.
The reward, may not come in money or a new assignment, but in simply standing back and looking at the finished work, and being able to say... " Now that one, I really am proud of!"
What keeps your illustrating muscles toned?
Since my first post for Non-Fiction Monday was one for a younger crowd, I figured I should throw one in for the older kids as well. There are lots of “anti-smoking” books out there, aimed at all different age ranges, though this is presented in a quick, easy to read format that is actually interesting, rather than preachy.
I wish people would read this book and listen to it!