A million ways home by Dianna Dorisi-Winget

Hi everyone, welcome to the first week of September. The title I selected for this week was one that reduced me to tears when I read it. Filled with heart, courage and ….well…you’re just going to have to continue and start reading the review to find out the rest!!

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Welcome to September

Hello everyone and welcome to the month of September!! The spring thaw is slowly melting the cold days down into warmer ones here in Auckland. Along with changes in the weather, the selections for my blog are in a state of transition. To find out more, press the button below…

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How kindness actually works

Hi everyone, well.. August is drawing to a close and taking the colder weather with it. Our days in Auckland are a little bit longer as we head towards the end of winter and tendrils of spring begins to emerge. With this I want to give you my final book review for this month: an adult non-fiction read. For those who have been waiting, look no further…

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Growing up a Buddhist abroad

Hi everyone, I thought I’d take this month to fill you all in about my faith: Buddhism. It sort of ties in with kindness and compassion; so I’m going to try my best to describe how I grew up as one in the 1980’s and 90’s in another country, and how I continue to practise it everyday…

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Fish in a tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Hi everyone, this next read moved me in many ways. It tells the story of one young girl’s journey through the depths of middle school as she struggles with her dyslexia and finds a way to accept herself as others see her. I hope this read touches you the way it did me…

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Six extra stories on kindness

banner shaoed image. middle large image of five children in silhouette holding hands with orange sun behind them. top three images parts of book covers. top left part of roof and Because of You in white. top middle kids walking with dog in woods. top right blue sky and mockingbird in black. bottom left part of image of girl with arms outstretched. bottom middle white writing Stella by Starlight dark blue starry sky. bottom right bowl with orange goldfish and The Fourteenth Goldfish cramped under it.

Hi everyone, this extra post includes six titles that I really enjoyed reading. A few have even awards for their story and writing. For me, the young protagonists here embody all that falls under the umbrella of kindness and compassion. Without sounding too preachy…I would encourage you and your tween to check out the post below and start talking about what kindness means to you…

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Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

Hi everyone, this week’s post is actually a Newbery Honor medalist!! When I first read it, and promptly completed reading, I thought it would win something and I was right!! Set in the shadows of both World Wars in Pennsylvania, this read takes the reader on an emotional journey and well…why don’t you just read the rest to find out…

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Let’s be kind this August

Hi everyone, as the title suggests, I want to challenge everyone to be a little bit kinder this month. And how do you wonder does this relate to this month’s blog posts? Well… I’m glad you’re curious about that, why not press the button to find out…

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Six animal stories to inspire you

Hi everyone, this extra post was inspired by many things. The new books I read to fill this post, the sound of the trees outside, and the various little birds that fly in the skies above. I hope to give you a little bit of inspiration and insight into the amazing natural world we live in with the titles included here and a little bit of my own experience with animals. So, settle yourself down, and let’s get started…

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Mister Cassowary by Samantha Wheeler

Hello there, winter is making her presence known down here in New Zealand!! The few animals you do see out and about only come out for food and go right back home!! A bit like how we were during our lockdown period!! The story for this post is about an Australian bird, a somewhat large one… I don’t intend on meeting up with this creature anytime soon…but if you want to find out…check out my review below!

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