education, literacy & Children's author

-- Influencing through Education --

The Japan for Sustainablility Newsletter (www.japanfs.org) shared some interesting innovations being put forth by that region:

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced on May 29, 2008, its selection of the winning design for its Uniform Green Energy Mark. By affixing the logo to a product, manufacturers can advertise that their products are made using green energy under the green power certification system. The ministry aims to increase public awareness of its certification system and provide consumers with confidence when buying products made with green power.

Isn't this a wonderful and supportive measure? It could really increase the effectiveness and growth of the green movement all over the planet, because it will educate and influence consumers around the globe.

Education is so important and literacy is THE most important tool for an individual to increase knowledge and find empathy, sympathy... This is one of the main reasons why I began doing book reviews - I wanted to support authors, help them get their work noticed and at the same time I wanted to encourage reading locally. It has benefited me as well, because I've been challenged as a writer to keep these book reviews unique, fresh and interesting. I have had the honor of donating over 1000 books into our community over the last 5 years, most of these were through review work, but some were also from friends & family passing along their reading materials to us, knowing that we are such voracious readers.
It's been a sincere honor to support these organizations locally:
Grand Forks and West Boundary Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy - Women's Resource Center - Whispers of Hope Org. - Grand Forks Public Library - Community Futures Resource Center

For the same reasons I listed above, I was inspired to then start up the Authors Read radio show earlier this year. Never, in all my wildest dreams, did I realize the impact that these small actions have had on the planet... and the ripple effect continues. Consider this quote from one of the guests on the Conscious Discussions talk radio show:

“…Can you imagine not having a library in your life? When I was a child we spent so much of our summers there especially. What a wonderful and safe environment to be in – it doesn’t matter what you read; you are improving yourself. …you, Lillian, are amazing I know about your donations In fact I want to tell you a story about how you have inspired me. Shortly after the Katrina disaster I contacted several organizations about restocking the libraries …but I kept getting the run-around …I heard about your efforts to support the libraries and charitable organizations so I decided to dig a little harder. …the reason why we can’t restock the libraries is because there is no place to store thousands of books… until then, there is another way that authors can donate books …the Friends of the Library organizations will sell donated books and the funds will go to the Wish Lists for those libraries. …Cedar Rapids, Iowa was affected by flooding a couple of months ago …just look on line under Friends of Library in the branches (affected by disaster) …and these books that I’ve donated and others have donated was inspired by what you do… ”
~ Carol Denbow 09/04/08 (who through writer’s forums gathered authors together in supporting libraries in disaster affected areas)

I don't think there are any words in the English language that are adequate enough to describe the incredible feeling that fills my heart from these experiences... but I will try. Thank you - we appreciate all of the heroes out there working to make a difference every single day. I'd also like express my gratitude to our readers and listeners... and all the authors out there who are doing such incredible things like those who got involved with Carol's library support program.

To access Carol's interview and learn about her fantastic work as an individual that inspired so many to stand up and help those in need, simply click on the hyper-linked Conscious Discussions show title here in the blog or click on the image below. All archives are listed according to the month in which they aired - Carol's interview aired on Sept 4, 2008.

-- Authors Read Radio Show --

AJ Rodriguez, children's author and storyteller, joined us today on the Authors Read radio show. She currently has three children's books available for the public to purchase in the wonderful Theodore Da Baer series. AJ was featured on the Authors Read radio show earlier in Nov when she read a wonderful story excerpted from the first book in this series. Today AJ shared the story, "Why Canaries are Yellow" – a tale of a tiny bird that saves the world, which is excerpted from her book: Theodore Da Baer-Wizards & Other Tales. She is a wonderful story teller and I am certain that your family will enjoy this segment on Authors Read radio.

To access the show simply click on the hyper-linked show title here in this blog or click on the image below:




Find Lillian Brummet, excerpts from her books, information about her radio shows & free resources & articles at www.brummet.ca