Blog Archives
Stained Glass Tainted by Dementia
Stained Glass Tainted by Dementia is a book-length work of poetic nonfiction about a son watching his mother disappear into dementia while trying to understand the family, faith, grief, and love that shaped them both. Theodore McDowell writes in short, poem-like pieces that feel intimate and immediate, almost like entries in a spiritual journal. The book begins with his mother as a figure of wonder, especially in the opening memory of a cathedral, candlelight, and childhood awe. When he writes, “Mom was more beautiful than stained glass,” he gives the reader the emotional key to the whole book.
The first half follows the author’s mother through memory care, illness, and death, but it also keeps returning to who she was before dementia took hold. She’s a nurse, a gardener, a dancer, a mother, a woman shaped by poverty, marriage, faith, fear, and resilience. McDowell doesn’t flatten her into sainthood. He lets her be complicated, loving, wounded, and sometimes unable to protect the people she loves. That honesty gives the book its weight.
One of the strongest things about the writing is the way ordinary caregiving moments become sacred without losing their physical reality. Washing a face, feeding puree, changing clothes, sitting in silence, and watching someone search for a name all become acts of witness. The religious imagery is everywhere, but it’s grounded in bodies, rooms, porches, wheelchairs, storms, and nursing home hallways. The line “I am their memory keeper” captures the role McDowell takes on throughout the book, carrying what his parents can no longer hold.
The second half opens the book outward, moving from the author’s mother to a wider collage of people living with dementia and those caring for them. These pieces give the book a larger human reach, showing spouses, children, caretakers, and patients caught in different versions of the same unraveling. Music, gardens, birds, oceans, and old dance halls keep returning as places where memory flickers back to life. Even when the scenes are painful, the writing keeps looking for dignity in the person who remains.
This is a deeply personal book, but it’s also a meditation on what love asks of us when memory breaks down. McDowell’s style is lyrical, prayerful, and often raw, with images that linger after the page turns. The book is at its best when it lets grief sit beside tenderness, anger beside forgiveness, and faith beside doubt. Stained Glass Tainted by Dementia reads like a long act of remembrance, one that honors a mother, mourns a disease, and gives language to the slow work of saying goodbye.
Pages: 239 | ASIN : B0GFB3Z3L6
I Have a Voice
“To all those who have silenced their inner voice, remember that it is never too late to rediscover it.”
Heidi Solomon-Orlick’s I Have a Voice is a rare children’s book with the power to resonate with both children and adults. Warm, empowering, and genuinely moving, this is a “book of listening” in the truest sense. It invites young readers to turn inward, recognize the voice they were born with, and understand just how deeply it matters.
The story’s message is simple yet profound: every voice matters. Some children have been told to be quiet. Others have felt unseen. Some may have lost touch with their own inner sense of self. I Have a Voice gently reminds them that it is never too late to rediscover what has always been there. The book teaches children that their voice is not only the sound they make. It is the part of them that knows they are loved, that they matter, and that they have a place in the world. It is also the quiet guide that helps them move through life. When we stop listening to that inner voice, we can lose our way. Still, we can always find it again.
One of the most memorable aspects of the book is its surprisingly immersive artwork. I expected charming illustrations that would pleasantly accompany the words. Instead, the visuals do far more. Each page is filled with rich, detailed, and lush imagery that draws the reader directly into the story. The illustrations do not simply echo the text. They deepen it. They add emotion, texture, and meaning, making each page feel less like something to read and more like something to experience. This is the kind of artwork children will want to linger over, returning to favorite pages just to look a little longer.
The activity pages at the end are another brilliant touch. They encourage children to explore their own emotions and discover their own voices in ways that feel playful, thoughtful, and engaging. This creative addition extends the reading experience beyond the story itself. It transforms a beautiful book into something children can carry with them, revisit, and use as a gentle tool for reflection.
I Have a Voice is highly recommended for parents, caregivers, and educators looking for a children’s book that does more than entertain. This is a meaningful story for young readers learning about themselves, their minds, and the quiet power of the voice within them. It is also, quite honestly, just as valuable for the grown-ups reading alongside them.
Pages: 54 | ISBN : 978-1965541982
Stained Glass Tainted by Dementia
Stained Glass Tainted by Dementia is a lyrical work of poeticized nonfiction about a son watching his mother vanish into dementia while trying to preserve the woman she was: devout, wounded, resilient, flawed, and beautiful. Theodore McDowell structures the book first around his mother’s decline and death, then widens the lens into a collage of dementia as experienced by patients, spouses, family members, and caretakers. The result is less a conventional memoir than a sequence of elegies, prayers, memories, and reckonings, all circling the same terrible truth: love does not prevent loss, but it can bear witness to it.
What moved me most was the book’s refusal to make dementia neat. McDowell does not soften the disease into a sentimental lesson. He shows its bewilderment, its humiliations, its repeated thefts of language, identity, and family roles. Yet the writing keeps searching for grace in the wreckage. A mother becomes stained glass, a garden becomes consecrated ground, a jazz trio briefly restores old romance to dull eyes. These images could have felt ornate, but at their best, they act like small lamps in a dark ward, illuminating what clinical language cannot reach.
I also appreciated the emotional candor beneath the beauty. This is not simply a son praising his mother; it is a son sorting through devotion, anger, religious inheritance, family violence, forgiveness, and guilt. That complexity gives the book its pulse. At times, the intensity of the imagery is almost overwhelming, but that excess feels tied to the subject itself. Grief is not tidy prose. Dementia breaks continuity, and McDowell answers with fragments that shimmer, bruise, and repeat like memory trying to repair itself.
The target audience for this book includes readers of memoirs, grief literature, dementia narratives, caregiving books, poetry, spiritual memoirs, family trauma, and literary elegies. Readers who admire Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking may recognize a similar attempt to make art out of bereavement, though McDowell’s voice is more prayerful, more image-soaked, and more overtly devotional. Stained Glass Tainted by Dementia is a sorrowful, luminous book that turns memory into a chapel for the vanishing.
Pages: 239 | ASIN : B0GFB3Z3L6
Wake Up!!
Benjamin Leavitt’s Wake Up!!, illustrated by Ethan Roffler, is a delightful picture book about the runaway force of a child’s imagination at bedtime. From the opening page, the story radiates restless energy. A wide-awake child resists sleep with absolute determination, while an exhausted parent struggles to keep pace and, eventually, get some rest.
Told from the father’s perspective, the story places readers right in the middle of his daughter’s whirlwind imagination. What begins as an ordinary bedtime soon spirals into a series of increasingly chaotic, funny, and unpredictable moments. Animals appear as if summoned from thin air, each new arrival adding another layer to the child’s ever-expanding narrative. The escalation feels natural. It also feels familiar. Anyone who has tried to persuade a child that bedtime truly means bedtime will recognize the pattern at once. One idea sparks the next. The chaos gathers momentum. The parent is left trying to untangle it all and guide them both toward sleep.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its relatability. Children will recognize themselves in the story’s boundless imagination, that remarkable ability to stretch a single moment into an entire world. Parents will recognize something else entirely: the fatigue, the patience, and the quiet desperation of trying to settle a child who will not stop talking, wondering, or inventing. The result feels honest, amusing, and unexpectedly comforting.
The writing has a lively rhythm that makes the book especially effective as a read-aloud. The prose moves with ease and has the natural cadence of conversation, which suits bedtime reading beautifully. There is also a pleasing irony at work: reading a book about a child who refuses to sleep while attempting to coax your own child to sleep. That contrast only adds to its charm.
The illustrations were easily my favorite part of the book. They carry a crayon-like texture that feels playful, warm, and immediately familiar, almost as though they were drawn by a child. That quality makes the story even more immersive for younger readers. The artwork does more than complement the text; it actively advances the storytelling. For children just beginning to read, that visual support is especially valuable.
Wake Up!! is funny, energetic, and deeply relatable, and I would recommend it to any parent who has ever spent the night wide awake because of a child’s unstoppable imagination.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B0GV1LQGYJ
Mama I Owe You Nothing
Mama, I Owe You Nothing and Daddy Even Less by Simmer Breeze offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intricate dynamics between parents and their children. The author sets a strong premise, asserting that engaging in consensual unprotected sexual activity demands accountability for any resulting consequences. This stance forms the foundation for a deep dive into the complexities of the parent-child relationship, addressing issues from gender roles and divorce to the challenges of adult children caring for aging parents.
With a comprehensive lens, the book examines family dynamics through biological, social, and legal perspectives, encouraging readers to reassess and expand their understanding of these relationships. The author’s approach is refreshingly direct, moving swiftly from one topic to another while maintaining clarity and focus. Despite its brevity, the book serves as a compact guide to navigating life’s familial intricacies, blending discussions of U.S. laws, societal views, and personal opinions seamlessly.
One particularly compelling aspect is the author’s ability to intertwine diverse elements, from biology to constitutional law, offering readers a multifaceted perspective on family-related issues. There are strong opinions given throughout the book, particularly on sensitive topics like abortion. Early in the text, the author’s perspective on abortion might be interpreted as leaning critical, which could potentially distance some readers with differing viewpoints. While this impression may vary among readers, it slightly shifts the book’s otherwise balanced exploration. Structurally, I think a chronological arrangement, beginning with early pregnancy and moving through the stages of life, including elder care, might enhance the book’s readability and overall coherence.
Mama, I Owe You Nothing and Daddy Even Less remains an informative and thought-provoking read, shedding light on essential aspects of family dynamics that resonate in daily life. I recommend it to anyone seeking to better understand the multifaceted relationships within families.
Pages: 65 | ASIN : B0CNKVQTH6
A Day on the Brine
A Day on the Brine is a charming, rhythmic journey through the ocean’s wonders, seen through the eyes of a curious captain and the creatures she encounters on her voyage. With lyrical, repetitive verse and vibrant illustrations, the book flows from one sea creature to the next, capturing the natural rhythms of marine life from sunrise to moonrise. Set off the west coast of Australia, this tale speaks to the interconnectedness of life on the ocean and the quiet magic of the sea.
Right from the start, I was pulled in by the rhythm. The repeated structure—“And what do you think she sees?” makes it feel like a lullaby, or a chant you’d say to a child while swaying on a boat. It’s simple, but it works. I especially loved the line about the “squid pinkpink and shy” who “peeks at the sky.” That moment stuck with me, there’s something so soft and endearing about it. It’s playful but also poetic. The use of double adjectives, “whitewhite,” “pinkpink,” “greengreen,” initially felt unusual, but they started to feel like waves lapping: steady, repeated, calming.
The writing isn’t trying to be clever. It’s honest and kind. There’s a real respect for the sea here, and that shines through the gentle language and Emma Stuart’s dreamy illustrations. I found myself lingering on the page with the “whale large and greygrey” coming up for a play. That spread, both in words and visuals, felt alive. There’s no heavy lesson being pushed, but you still get this sense of awe for marine life and the beauty of slowing down to look at the world.
One thing I appreciated deeply is the circular nature of the story. It begins and ends with the big blue boat, creating a feeling of coming home, of completing a cycle. The moon watching the boat and captain at the end made me smile. It’s subtle, but it tugs at something warm in you. It reminded me of how, as a kid, I’d imagine the moon following me on car rides home. Also, the glossary and activities at the end are a nice bonus, educational without being dry, and great for curious young readers.
This book is a delight. If you’ve got little ones who love the ocean, or if you just want something calming and beautiful to read together at bedtime, A Day on the Brine is for you. It’s got heart, rhythm, and a soft sense of wonder. I’d recommend it to families, early educators, or anyone who finds peace in the sea.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0DXG9T3HK
Gaining Confidence
Ava as a Top Seller, follows a young girl who dreams of becoming a market vendor and gets a chance to help a local shopkeeper one weekend. What was the inspiration for your story?
Almost all of us have childhood memories of how much fun it was to create our own play store. I’ve set up many of these shops with my siblings, friends, and later with my children. I’ve been both a salesperson and a customer, and it has always been just as enjoyable.
That kind of play is full of imagination and, at the same time, practicing essential skills. The best experiences from my own childhood were shops where the diverse selection consisted of various natural products.
Some of the sold items were edible, such as berries or vegetables in the summer. But others were stones, sticks, plant leaves, hay – anything our imagination turned into interesting goods or treats. My little sisters started a flower shop, selling wildflower bouquets to passersby. The related funding, however, sparked discussions with parents…
Now, it’s fun to watch my visiting grandchildren rush to the same toy vegetable store where my adult children once played with the sales counters, cash registers, baskets, and toy fruits and vegetables.
Ava has a special bond with Mr. Stuff, and he helps guide her while allowing her to problem-solve and learn. Did you have your own “Mr. Stuff” growing up?
As a child, I was surrounded by adults who gave me a lot of freedom but enough security. I remember the feeling of encouragement and confidence. Because of this, I dared to tackle new things independently and wasn’t unnecessarily afraid of possible mistakes.
There are many happy memories to cherish. I was able to take out a cookbook and bake the first cinnamon rolls of my life as a surprise for my absent mother. The teacher gave me the task of choosing a play and actors and directing the performance for the Christmas party. It went well!
Throughout my life, I can name many adults who have played a role similar to the friendly “Mr. Stuff” in my Ava as a Top Seller story. I am genuinely grateful to each one of them. They were relatives, teachers, coaches, and tutors for different hobbies.
With their help, I transformed from a curious and enterprising child into an adult who reasonably trusted her skills. This belief in possibilities and survival has helped me sometimes make significant life changes and pursue things that initially seemed very challenging.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
All of my Axel and Ava series books tell stories for children, parents, and other adults in children’s lives. I hope young readers—and listeners—gain self-confidence from these tales. In these stories, they learn that new abilities must be tested and that damage can occur but can be repaired.
An equally important goal in my books is to make adults aware of the role they play in guiding a child to new experiences and skills. It is a question of finding the appropriate balance of freedom and safety. I hope those adults closest to each child would spend time and effort supporting the child from a suitable distance. It is crucial to find that appropriate distance. This is challenging because every child is an individual, and every family is different.
In my stories, I aim to highlight positive ways for adults to engage with and motivate children to face potential mistakes and harmful situations. I’m sure parents sincerely try to do good in raising their children. Sometimes, they even try too hard and forget that a child’s growth also needs free space. Opportunities to try, fail, and try again.
Perhaps the worst thing an adult can do is continually doubt or belittle a child’s abilities while assuming the role of the adult who knows better. It’s also incredibly frustrating for the child when their past mistakes are frequently mentioned.
With a right mindset, even failure does not leave unpleasant traces but acts as encouragement for needs. There will always be the next day and the next opportunity!
What do you have planned next for Axel and Ava, and when will it be available?
The Axel and Ava Series has four books published so far: Axel and Ava as Cat Sitters, Ava and the Last Bird, Axel Washes the Rug, and Ava as a Top Seller. The books explore various situations in which children’s enthusiasm leads to surprising outcomes.
The lives of active children are full of such situations, so there is no shortage of topics for future parts of the series.
I already have a few funny coincidences in my head for the new parts of the series. It is still too early to reveal the names of these books, but I can tell you that my memories are involved again.
For example, I’m considering a book in which the events revolve around a children’s performance that doesn’t go as planned. Another idea involves a situation full of good intentions to make a loved one happy but not succeeding in that.
I can’t give an exact schedule for the new books in the series, as I currently have many book projects in various stages. During the year, I will also participate in at least three international book fairs in different ways: in the spring, the London Bookfair, and in the fall, the Bologna Children’s Bookfair and the Frankfurt Bookfair.
But I can promise that Axel and Ava will always travel with me, no matter where I go in the world, to talk about children’s books.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website
By accident, Axel stains his grandmother’s rug with blueberries. During Granny’s afternoon nap, he tries to correct the mistake all by himself. The result is a surprise for both of them!
The Fox and the Election Fraud
The Fox and the Election Fraud by Tuula Pere delivers a clever, engaging story that weaves humor and important lessons into a memorable tale. It follows Francis the Fox, a character who can’t seem to grasp the concept of honesty, despite Major William the Wolf’s best efforts. When an election campaign sparks his interest, Francis becomes determined to win at any cost. He pulls out all the stops, leveraging every connection, working tirelessly, and strategizing to sway the voters. Yet, as the reality of defeat looms over him, Francis resorts to a desperate, underhanded plan: tampering with the vote count. But the city’s robust judicial system has no tolerance for dishonesty, and Francis learns the hard way that cheating never pays.
Though it deals with themes that seem geared toward adults, The Fox and the Election Fraud keeps things light, witty, and refreshingly creative. The writing shines with clarity and vivid storytelling, drawing readers into Francis’ antics. It’s a story bursting with well-structured ideas and fast-paced action. Pere gives us a protagonist who, despite his flaws, remains oddly charming and relatable. Francis may be a trickster, but his humorous escapades serve as a vehicle for teaching critical life lessons about integrity, honesty, and the inevitable triumph of good over deceit. The various schemes he devises to bolster his campaign are as entertaining as they are instructive, making the plot thoroughly enjoyable. Tuula Pere impresses me with her ability to craft narratives that are both dynamic and meaningful. The book, though part of a series, stands strong on its own, offering just enough background to make Francis’ story accessible to any reader. Pere’s attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the engaging text to the vibrant illustrations that bring the world to life. The format is designed to captivate young readers while keeping adults invested, making it an ideal pick for family reading sessions.
The Fox and the Election Fraud is a standout story that I highly recommend. It’s a perfect blend of humor, moral lessons, and entertaining characters. Children will learn about honesty and responsibility while laughing along with Francis’ misadventures, and adults will appreciate the book’s wit and charm.
Pages: 46 | ISBN : 9528201628
