Everybody Poops

I work at my daughter's school so sometimes, I have to take a break in the little girls' room. Literally.  It's nothing special, I'm sure that everybody has to pee from time to time.  And, when you are responsible for keeping 500 children on schedule as they move from one place to the next, you need to stay hydrated. Hydration leads to urine.

Now, please tell me, was that first paragraph just more than you ever needed to know?  I feel that it was.  True or not, no one cares. That's how I feel about this book.

While squatting I couldn't help but notice this funny, if slightly disturbing, little sign hanging on the door.  Talk about blunt. The advice offered on this sign is good.  And kids from kindergarten up are using these toilets, so plumbing issues are bound to arise.  This sign is really just an extension of their education.


So I made the mistake of looking up the author.  Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi has the goal (I hope) of making children feel comfortable with their bodily functions by proving in gross detail that everyone, animal and human, that eats must have bowel movements as well.  This lesson may be helpful for those young children who are in the middle of potty training and are maybe having a hard time taking the next step.  The last page of the book however renders it trash and is too nasty for words.  Six illustrations of animal and human naked buttocks in the middle of pooping.

  YUCK!

Read Before You Watch

Orson Scott Card amazed me with his science-fiction novel Ender's Game.  It's harsh look at the impact the universe can have on the hearts and minds of children would have made Lois Lowry proud.  The true testament to the book's power, however, is that fact that I already had such high expectations.  Mario (hubby) read four books in the series more than five years ago and praised them highly.  When I read a book on Mario's recommendation, I expect near perfection in both creativity and process. Ender's Game surpassed those expectations.

I dread stating that the plot line is a bit predictable. However, not in the banal interpretation usually implied by the term, "predictable." The characters are all written so well that readers who have been exposed to gifted children or referred to as gifted themselves are easily able to interpret motivations as if these characters were real people. Understanding motivations then makes it easier to foresee actions. Becoming acquainted with one character leads to more familiarity with another. So one person's actions only naturally lead to another's reactions and so forth.

I in no way mean to imply that you shouldn't immerse yourself fully from beginning to end.  The journey is like no other.  And, I am wholly convinced that there is absolutely no way a movie will be able to do this story justice. So I plead with you, "Please read the book."  That said, having loved the book I am anxiously awaiting the movie.  I personally cannot wait to see the Battle Room.

Ender's Game Official Trailer #2

Battle Royale

Suzanne Collins has been accused of ripping off the Japanese movie Battle Royale for her hit series Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.  I just watched it.  It could have been her inspiration, but Hunger Games is in no way a rip off of that twisted, sick creation.

That movie is the hunger games, and those who enjoy watching it it are much like the citizens of the capitol. I can see how it may have inspired a trilogy of revolution stories.

I just want to publicly rebuke those who call the two stories the same.  Rather than reading a three sentence synopsis and passing judgement, read the book, or don't and just keep your mouth shut.  Either way works for me.

North of Everything

Craig Crist-Evans is the author of a book entitled North of Everything.  It is a short novel about a young boy who moves from the warmth of Miami to the chill of Vermont.  The entire story is written in verse.  It's not my style and I can't honestly recommend it, but I did really enjoy the very first "chapter."  It captured the essence of turning away from being desert girl from Las Vegas and embracing becoming Alaskan.

North of Everything
Craig Crist-Evans

Here, north of everything,
when winter's almost done
and the sun begins to climb
above the mountains,
the old Winooski thaws.

Willows wave their pale leaves,
robins dig for worms,
and I hear the lowing cows,
     voices
          drifting
               soft
across the fields.

Here, north of everything,
we boil sugar from the maple trees in March,
plant long rows of corn in June, watch
October mountainsides erupt in leafy fire.

Here, north of everything,
all winter long, we sit beside the wood stove,
drinking cider, rubbing hands
to warm ourselves.

Here, north of everything,
where seasons change their clothes
from red and yellow, then white to green,
where I have learned
that fall turns to winter,
and winter turns to spring.