One of the unforgettable ways an artist makes a point is by pairing. Pairing? What's that?

Pairing is the juxtaposing of two or more ingredients together. Wine and cheese is a pairing we are all familiar with. Painters belonging to the fauvist school of painting juxtaposed strong colors.

But there is pairing of another kind of thing----- a pairing of ideas. When done thoughtfully, it can elicit a deep awareness of what it is to be alive and part of something bigger than yourself.

Patrick McDonnell's new book South pairs human emotions with an activity humans never really experience first hand. Birds migrate. Butterflies migrate. Whales migrate. But humans only watch migrations. They click away counting the migration participants, but they don't participate in migrations year after year during their lifetimes.

But, as McDonnell sees it, an orphaned yellow bird who doesn't join his fellow birds in a migration south can experience loss, lonliness, crossing boundaries, expanding horizons just as humans can. Fortunately in South McDonnell hesitates to use any text whatsoever. And this is the one omission that signals the drama of powerful situations like lonliness, loss, saying good-bye, and expanding horizons.

A Unique Pairing

More than a collection of witty and charming drawings, the marriage of Patrick McDonnell's art and Eckhart Tolle's words conveys a profound love of nature, of animals, of humans, of all life-forms. Guardians of Being celebrates and reminds us of not only the oneness of all life but also the wonder and joy to be found in the present moment, amid the beauty we sometimes forget to notice all around us.

If you have a pet, you can especially appreciate this pairing. Eckhart Tolle's profound truths about our perceptions of the present are paired up with a pet's moments of love, joy to be alive, happy to be here. This pairing is a powerful way to show how far you can go when you have your heart in living.

Best Illustrated Children’s Books 2008

by Suzy Lee

 Words do get in the way often in life. Especially in a child's world. Suzy Lee is well aware of this and uses this to tell her simple yet compelling stories about children's perceptions.

BUBBLE TROUBLE

 "Margaret Mahy mixes acrobatic language and tongue-tangling rhymes to create her latest lighter-than-air offering." If you stop and think about what this author does you realize she uses language in a very effective way here. The words and rhythm pair perfectly with what a bubble really does. It bounces, it rolls, it lands and then takes off again. No one really can predict what will happen to it if it just travels on the capricious breeze.

26 opportunities to save the planet your child can be involded with..

G is for global warming

L is for buying local

Y is for why not?

 In the Monterey Bay Area you can find this wonderful book at:

http://www.theworkspg.com/

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There isn't a book that makes a point to a child so simply and non-threateningly as A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon. Do you recall trying to please someone when you were a child ? Trying g to please your father? Your mother? A teacher? Your friend? Or, do you recall watching a friend of yours who was always trying to please his father, mother, teacher? When you do recall this kind of behavior you will also remember the associated stress, the physical sicknesses that appeared in this kind of relationship. Perhaps it was asthma, constant indigestion, rashes, inability to sleep through the night, fear attacks, and on and on.

Trying to please another person is always stressful, especially if that person never approves of you and will never approve of you. It is a losing battle. In A Bad Case of Stripes David Shannon allows a child to watch another child reap the consequences of this kind of behavior. And he skillfully accomplishes this through a story line that is non threatening and very believable. The accompanying illustrations are exceptional. Shannon's use of strong strokes of color portend the dangers in such behavior.

Little Camilla tries to please other children. They hate lima beans, so she decides she hates lima beans too. That way, she reasons, other children will like her. She would do anything just to be liked. She becomes ill with a bad case of stripes. You watch her body change as she is examined by Specialists, Experts and psychologists, herbalists, allergists who all voice their conclusions that she is suffering from various infections or maladies. First stripes appear all over her body. Then these stripes fade into fuzzy little virus balls which change into squiggly little bacteria tails. She is mentally trapped into this unforgiving mind set of desperately wanting to please others until an old lady comes to her door and coaxes her to try some lima beans, the food she really likes. She tries them, listening to her real self. This is the cure to a happy Camilla without A Bad Case of Stripes.

A good book is like a good song. You take it with you throughout your day, thinking about its meaning, especially during the mundane moments of your day. This book is a powerful book. Every child would benefit from this story. I would strongly suggest talking to your children about this kind of behavior. Do they have any friends who act like they want to please their parent, teacher, friend? How do they feel about this kind of behavior? Do they think this kind of behavior is good? Are your children aware that those who want to please some other person are often sick; they have more colds, flu, rashes, than normal? If your children comment about another child missing so much school take a moment and ask your children about this other child's behavior: Does he want to please the teacher a lot? Does he want to please his father or mother all the time? Be perceptive, parent! This is a very common condition children live with today. It's a natural reaction for a child who lives with an aggressive parent or has an aggressive teacher to "try to please this bossy person."

Find a great reveiw of David Shannon at: http://cbcbooks.org/cbcmagazine/meet/davidshannon.html

Contra Costa Certified Farmers' Market

CHOPPED CHICKEN MANGO SALAD

Bahama Billy's Island Steakhouse

Carmel, California

831-626-0430

This is the best menu around for fresh salads that surprise you with mangos, pineapple, nuts, and fresh ginger. Their seafood creations are also highly recommended.

Jim Thurman, a Physical Therapist at Valley Physical Therapy, has one important message for his patients: GROW STRONG

This is what we all want in a book store. Peace and quiet comes to mind first. Plus, this bookstore/cafe is very cozy. Sit and have a quiet moment witih a cup of tea and a special treat to nibble on while you look over a new book or visit with a friend. The staff is very helpfyul and polite.

Monterey Farmers Markets

Salinas Farmers Markets

Carmel Farmers Markets

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