"What is a Friend"

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I received this from a FRIEND and it was so beautiful I just had to post it here.(Author unknown)
 ENJOY

Subject: What is a Friend…..
…..
Friends…….They love you,
But they’re not your lover
They care for you,
But they’re not from your family
They’re ready to share your pain,
But they’re not your blood relation.
They are……..FRIENDS! !!!!
A True friend…… .
Scolds like a DAD..
Cares like a MOM..
Teases like a SISTER..
Irritates like a BROTHER..
And finally loves you for YOU..

The nicest place 2 be is in someone’s THOUGHTS!
The safest place 2 be is in someone’s PRAYERS!
And the best place 2 be is in………..
GODS HANDS!

Advance notice for "The Priest & The Peaches" coming this January

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Available:
December 18, 2011
Official launch date:
January 1, 2012

Take a seven day journey with the five, newly orphaned Peach kids, as they begin their struggle to remain a family while planning their dad’s funeral. Having no money, discovering the rent and utilities are past due and having the ever intrusive Beatrice Amon determined to get the youngest boys into a “properly supervised environment” leaves them living in a world they were not ready for. They find an ally in the local parish priest, Father Tim Sullivan, who tries his best to guide them through the strange, unchartered and turbulent waters of “grown-up world”. A story that is sad, funny, and inspiring as it shows how the power of family love and faith can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Mom Does Reviews review

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Mom Does Reviews
November 25, 2011

Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes review
by Pamela Maynard

Willie Wiggles had a big problem: his feet were so slippery he slipped walking, climbing or just sitting at his desk at school. His mom ordered him special shoes that would stop him from spinning and sliding all over. The morning he was supposed to wear his big, new, ugly shoes, he has the worst day ever. Kids, teachers, dogs, cats, birds and taxi drivers all laughed at his ridiculous shoes so hard the world seemed as if it was going crazy. People were so mean to Willie I almost didn’t want to read any more. Peterson did such a good job conveying empathy, I was actually upset that he had written this funny story. It wasn’t until Willie’s mom woke him up that I understood that the author accomplished his goal. It brought back not-so-fond memories of kids making fun of my braces when I was in sixth grade. I was right there with Willie in the story.

Willie did go to school with his new, somewhat ugly shoes, but no one laughed at him. In fact, kids wanted to know where they could get some just like his. It turns out that Willie learned that being different isn’t so bad after all. No one is the same and we all need to learn to accept each others differences. Peterson did a great job teaching an important lesson for kids of all ages. Slippery Willie is a great book for ages 4 to 10.

My favorite part of the book is when Willie’s mom chased him around the house with a butterfly net so she could catch him to put the ugly shoes on him. What a sight that would have been in my house!

The illustrations were simple but they showed the action of the story very well.

The end of the book has an interactive guide with suggested activities and discussions to reinforce what was learned in the book. This is a great feature for homeschooling parents.

Overall, I give Slippery Willie’s Stupid Ugly Shoes 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Please feel free to share your thoughts about accepting differences at Slippery Willie’s Blog.

About the author:

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children’s book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.

Be sure to visit:

Book web site:
http://www.slipperywillie.com
Larry Peterson Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/larrytpbx
Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

Buy links:
http://tribute-books.com/shop.html#children8

It's Always Sunnie with Katie review

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It’s Always Sunnie with Katie
November 21, 2011

“Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes” E-Book Review
by Katie Tanner

I love children’s books and finding new children’s books that I have not heard of before so when I was given the opportunity to review “Slippery Willie’s Stupid Ugly Shoes” I was pretty excited. This book is written by Larry Petereson and this is his debut children’s book.

Slippery Willie Synopsis:
Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the “stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world.”

Larry Peterson Bio:
Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children’s book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.

I read this book to one of the three year old pre-school classes at my child care center. They laughed their heads off when they were hearing about how Willie slipped and slided all over the place. One of the kid’s said that they wanted slippery feet so that they didn’t have to clean their room. They could slide away from Mom when she asked them to go to their room and clean. I thought that was pretty clever!!
Once Willie starts wearing the shoes, unfortunately everyone starts laughing at him and said they were the “stupidest, ugliest, shoes they had every seen!” This made Willie really sad and he did not want to wear them ANYMORE!! I don’t want to give the ending away so you will have to get the book to find out what happens with Willie.

When we were done with the book we talked as a class about how we need to except everyone’s differences. We talked about how everyone is different, some have brown hair, some have blonde, some have red. Some have blue eyes, some have green. Some wear glasses and some have braces, but we are all special and unique. Then the kids made a list for the class of how different we all are and they drew a picture of themselves and how they are different. This book teaches that differences are okay and that its okay to except them.

I really like this book because of the GREAT moral that it gives to the kids. If you want to learn more about the book you can check out more information
Tribute Books Facebook Page

Their Twitter Page

Tribute Blog

Earth Kydz review

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Earth Kydz
November 21, 2011

Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes – Children’s Book Review
by Nancy Hammonds

Book Description Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the “stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world.”(Summary provided by Tribute Books)

My Review

I waiting to read this book with my boys, my 9 year old did not like the title he said because it had the words hate & stupid. At first it was funny but towards the middle the boys were not happy with everyones reaction towards the shoes and laughing at Willie. Once we got to the end they were very happy without giving it away, you must read the book to find out the end.


We went over the interactive guide at the end of the book and we had some great conversation, my youngest son suffers from severe multiple food allergies and he feels that he is different special and could relate with Willie. A great lesson learned by Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes. My boys understand that God made us ALL different but special.


————————————————————————————————————–

About the Author Larry Peterson


Mrs Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children’s book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years




More Information:
Book web site:
Larry Peterson Facebook:
Tribute Books website:
Tribute Books Facebook:
Tribute Books Twitter:

Unorganized Mommy of 3 review

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Unorganized Mommy of 3
November 20, 2011

Slippery Willie
by Tonia Miller

Have you ever been afraid to say, do or wear something so much that you had a nightmare about it?

Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the “stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world.”

This book was very cute. My kids laughed every time we came to the phrase of how Willie slips, slides and spins all over because mommy had a hard time saying it – Talk about a tongue twister.

The pictures were great and my kids really enjoyed the story. When we were done reading it, we talked about how something new is not always stupid and ugly and you should not be afraid to try it. In the end, everyone might like it, just like how the kids loved Willie’s new stupid, ugly shoes!

Slipper Willie’s Stupid, Ugly shoes was written by Larry Peterson

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children’s book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years

You can purchase Slipper Willie’s Stupid Ugly Shoes HERE.

Prices start at $2.99 for Kindle and up to $16.99 for the hard cover version!

Check out an excerpt of the book HERE

And, Larry is looking for thoughts on accepting differences. Let him know what you think HERE

Other links you can check out:

Book web site:
http://www.slipperywillie.com

Larry Peterson Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/larrytpbx

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

Establishing Christian Parenting review

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Establishing Christian Parenting
November 19, 2011

Book Review: ‘Slippery Willie’
by Debra Ann Elliott

Slippery Willie Synopsis:

Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the “stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world.”

Discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place.


My Review:


Slippery Willie shares a simple message that we all are different and that’s OK because God made us that way. The book has some interesting points, but I felt a little awkward reading it to my seven year old grandson because everyone was making fun of Willie.
I understand the message of the book is to teach children everyone is different, but in my opinion I thought it could have been handled better.
I give Slippery Willie a B-.

Larry Peterson Bio:

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children’s book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.

Buy links:
http://tribute-books.com/shop.html#children8

Excerpt:
http://www.freado.com/read/9129/slippery-willies-stupid-ugly-shoes

Looking for readers to share their thoughts about accepting differences at:
http://slipperywillie.blogspot.com/2011/01/share-your-thoughts-about-accepting.html

Adventures of Frugal Mom review

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Adventures of Frugal Mom
November 18, 2011

Book Blog Tour Stop for Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes
by Melissa Vera

Do you have a child who suffers with self-esteem issues? Or maybe you have a child who may be by no fault of their own has a disability?? Or do they have a friend who may be different?? Then do I have an excellent resource for you. There is a book called Slippery Willie’s Stupid Ugly Shoes by Larry Peterson. This book will help to explain that being different can be a cool thing.
Basically in this cute story, Willie, the main character, has a problem. He has slippery feet. They are so slippery that for him to be able to walk without falling he must wear special shoes. Willie does not want to wear the special shoes because he is afraid he will be made fun of by the kids at school. He thinks that because his shoes are different from everyone else’s that he will be the cause of a laughing spree. He has a dream about what occurs at school when he wears his shoes. He is so scared when he wakes up that he refuses to wear his shoes but his mom makes him.

Will Willie wear his shoes? Will bad things happen to him? Will he be laughed at because of his shoes ? To find out the answers to all the above questions check out Slippery Willie’s Stupid Ugly Shoes. Your children will discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place.

This book would be an excellent birthday or Christmas present not only for a child, but being a teacher myself, this would be an excellent resource to use in the classroom. So make sure that you get one for every teacher on your list as well.

"I LOVE Thanksgiving—-

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I’m a holiday kind of guy. I love the Christmas season with its “peace-on-earth” and ‘”joy-to-the-world” messages and Santa Claus, and elves and Christmas lights and all that comes with the excitement leading up to Christmas Day. Most of all, I love the “reason for the season”—acknowledging the birth of Christ.

I also am fully aware of the pressure and stress Christmastime can bring to so many; the homeless, the unemployed, those with serious illness, and especially the parents with no money who desperately want Santa to visit their house on Christmas Eve. Let’s face it, kids are kids and Santa is Santa; to them the “real world” has no place in their little, anxious hearts. The stress this can cause for a mommy and daddy who might be struggling just to make rent can sometimes be overwhelming. Single parents have a double whammy. They are missing a spouse to vent with. This I shall address in a week or so. But, for now, it is Thanksgiving week.

I LOVE Thanksgiving. To me it IS the best day of the year. Why? Because it is the one day of the year when we pause and simply give thanks for all that we have even if it is just a little. A job, good health, a cancer in remission, connecting with a long lost relative, the birth of a child, so many things that we can be thankful for. People from every economic situation can have a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Homeless shelters and soup kitchens and prisons serve turkey. Folks who have little money are able to receive turkey baskets from various charitable organizations so they can have a turkey dinner at home with their families. No-one in America needs to go hungry on Thanksgiving Day. You do not need to purchase gifts. All you have to do is show up, hang out, eat and enjoy the uplifted spirit of family and friends that are with you, even if they are strangers in a soup kitchen. It is a beautiful thing.

“If the only prayer you said in your WHOLE LIFE was,”THANK YOU”, that would suffice.”
Meister Eckhart 1260-1327, Theologian and Philosopher

Love2EncourageYou review

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Love2EncourageYou
November 17, 2011

ebook Review: Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes
by Rebecca Harmon

eBook Review: Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes

When I was growing up, I had a back brace that I had to wear all day long for corrective measures on my spine because I had Scoliosis. I also had a close friend of the family who had to wear braces on her legs for many long years before she was finally able to walk on her own. Due to these very memorable moments in my personal history, I really appreciated the message behind the book in today’s eBook Review titled: Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes. The author, Larry Peterson, did an amazing job bringing fun, laughter, and a solid message of encouragement to children everywhere about a subject; that for many, can be rather painful and embarrassing if not put in the right perspective.

Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes is a delightful read! When sharing this book during storytime or circle time, your children, grandchildren and students in school will be eagerly listening for what happens next. This book is worth getting for that special child in your life that needs to be reminded that being a little different is completely ok. It can help them accept their current circumstances and battle those feelings of doubt by turning it into a positive and encouraging experience. Most of the time, our fears get the best of us and we find out we are accepted and loved by our peers for just being ourselves.

Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes has a neat section at the end of the story that offers suggested activites to apply this story in the classroom learning environment. It also gives some discussion questions to go over with your children. After having my four year old daughter snuggle up with me on my lap and read this story together, she had some very interesting comments. She thought it might be fun to have slippery feet that slide around all the time, but then get to wear special shoes that help you walk the right way. She was glad it was just a dream when all the kids and people were laughing at Willie. She shared that she wouldn’t have laughed at the boy, but would be his friend and tell him, “Wow, what cool shoes!” This would help him feel better she said. My daughter loved the story so much and asked, “When can we read another book like that again?” She then ran over to her toybox and picked up her monkey puppet and had it clap its hands. Then the monkey puppet started cheering and said, “Wow, what a great story! I love it! Let’s read another one.”

Awe…I just love a good story! Many thanks to author, Larry Peterson, for helping us have a fun mommy and daughter time. We truly enjoyed reading your book. My daughter asks if you can write another story soon, but this time about a princess! 🙂 Special thanks to the illustrator as well. The colorful cartoon pictures were the perfect addition to help my daughter grasp what was happening in the story. The artwork captured the silliness of the dream so well and made her giggle on several parts of the book. Be sure to visit the book website for Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes to learn more about this great children’s book. It makes a cute gift for the holidays. I encourage you to pick up a copy for your child or classroom today.

The author and publisher are looking for readers to share their thoughts about accepting differences at:
http://slipperywillie.blogspot.com/2011/01/share-your-thoughts-about-accepting.html

Once again, my deepest thanks to Nicole at Tribute Books for bringing us another terrific family story that I had fun reading with my daughter and sharing with my readers here on the blog. Please visit Tribute Books website and check out some of the other wonderful books and authors that have teamed up with Tribute Books already. Become a fan of Tribute Books on Facebook. You can follow @Tributebooks on Twitter too!