My Books

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MAXINE Gets Her VACCINE!

vaccine

“MAXINE” highlights the importance of children getting the covid vaccine, but it is written to be applicable to other situations in which children are just afraid of shots, any kind. The gifted illustrator is Zoe Matthiessen, who recently published an award-winning children’s book called The Last Straw. 

The title MAXINE Gets Her VACCINE came to me last fall when the availability of the first covid vaccine for seniors was broadcast. It was at that very moment during the pandemic that I found myself facetiming with a good friend from elementary school whose name happens to be guess what – MAXINE! 

Hearing that rhyme “Maxine-Vaccine” was the beginning of a thrilling foray into children’s book land, which I’ll probably never leave. Too much fun. Grown up books too serious. 

MAXINE Gets Her VACCINE is for the 4–8-year-old set - for your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and for any adult still vaccine hesitant. Perhaps for YOU too!

Find it online here!


Estranged

estranged

You may have heard that the Inuit people of Baffin Island, Canada have about fifty words for "snow". Though endlessly debated, this does appear to be true, which linguistic anthropologists say reveals the importance of snow in Inuit life. While researching the topic, Dr. Lesser Bruun found over one hundred words in English for "estranged". Clearly, we have a problem. 

Scratch the surface of almost any family, workplace, or group of friends and you will find a painful relationship rift. Everyone has someone in their lives with whom they have stopped speaking, or who gradually or abruptly cut them off. Sometimes those involved regret the loss and decide to reach out. Sometimes people deny that they care. Others feel relieved that the relationship is over, and easily let go. But the majority are torn, unsure whether to open the door again or keep it shut. Too often these severed connections go un-resolved, causing those affected to lose sleep. 

Dr Lesser Bruun presents a curated list of cutoff types, ranging from an agreed on temporary time out to a one-sided, sudden disappearance, no-contact ghosting, and chapter by chapter delves into the five underlying reasons people cut off in the first place: abandonment, jealousy, betrayal, mental illness, and matters of principle. 

Most importantly, Lesser Bruun encourages the reader to look in the mirror, take stock of their motivation, readiness, relationship style, family pattern, cutoff history, communication skills, support system, as well as their own contributions to the rift before deciding whether to reengage. And finally, she offers those who do want to reconnect an extensive list of action steps and strategies to maximize their chances of success.

Find it online here!


 

Not on Speaking Terms


 

Marrying Well