Proverbs to Ponder: Curiosity Killed the Cat

Meaning:
      The proverb "curiosity killed the cat" means that sometimes, it can be too risky to be too curious.


Example: 
      I learned that curiosity killed the cat when I almost tried petting the dog. 

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Idiom of the Day: Out of My Mind

Meaning:
      The expression "out of my mind", means that somebody is acting mad, or crazy.

Example:
      You must be out of your mind if you want to sky dive without a parachute!

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Proverbs to Ponder: Love Makes the World Go Round

Meaning:
      The proverb "Love makes the world go round" means that love is the reason why people do most things, and ultimately, it the most important thing.

Example:
      Why don't you two talk to each other anymore? Remember, that love makes the world go round.

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Nuggets of Knowledge: Oreo Genius

SAM PORCELLO

 - Oreo Genius

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Idiom of the Day: See Red

Meaning: 

      The idiomatic expression "see red" means to be very angry, lose one's temper or become aggressive suddenly.

Example:

      My sister saw red when somebody called her names.

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Reader's Corner: Have You Met My Imaginary Friend?

      “Crenshaw” an ingenious, entertaining and heartening Newbery medal story by Katherine Applegate gives you the story of a boy named Jackson who lives with his family in a run-down apartment. One day, he met a giant cat named Crenshaw, who asked him for some jelly beans. After that encounter, Jackson and Crenshaw started to blossom. What will be Crenshaw’s role in Jackson’s life? Will Jackson’s family find out about his imaginary friend Crenshaw?

      Crenshaw story is one of my most loved books of Katherine Applegate! I have loved Katherine Applegate’s stories (Especially this one!) for a long time. Crenshaw story was able to tackle about children who have an imaginary friend. It also was able portray the role of an imaginary friend to a child. Role like giving comfort, companionship and temporary escape from the reality that the child is facing. Crenshaw’s character was the best because he managed to make me laugh with his hilarious acts.

      I recommend this story to children ages ten years and above because the story is a bit long. People who are fascinated with cats would also be able to enjoy reading this book. Crenshaw’s story depicts hope, kindness, friendship, and family altogether in one heartwarming story.

-By Tim

Proverbs to Ponder: Every Man Has His Taste

Meaning:
The proverb "Every man has his taste" mean that different people like different things.

Example:
      You can't complain that he likes Carbonara with ketchup in it, every man has his taste!

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Nuggets of Knowledge: Pepsi-Cola Founder

CALEB DAVID BRADHAM

 - Pepsi-Cola Founder

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Idiom of the Day: Keep your eye peeled/skinned

Meaning:
     When you "keep your eyes peeled or skinned", you remain alert. You watch very carefully, usually because you are expecting to see something or because you think there may be danger.

Example:
      Keep your eyes peeled for a dog with a blue collar at the carnival.

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Reader's Corner: Michael Mopurgo’s Ghostly Tale

      Did you know that a grey fox can retract its claws like cat? Michael Morpurgo’s the Fox and the Ghost King leads you into a tale about a family of foxes who like football. Their team was in a time of trouble, finishing almost in the bottom of its league, until they meet a ghost king. The ghost king promises them a wish that was hard to refuse if he could be set free of his grave.

      Morpugo’s story is full of funny scenes that would make you laugh your head off. As I’m a fan of comedy stories, the scene when the ghost king smelled the foxes. Upon smelling, his nose was bombarded with rotten onions stench! I did learn some lessons as well in this book, such as not to ask something in return for helping someone, not to be greedy, and not to be disrespectful.

      I recommend this book for kids’ ages 6 years old and above. The chapter book would be a great read for young children who are interested in playing the sport soccer. It also provides some historic background, like the last book review I made, 21 Balloons. I t is very funny that kids would surely enjoy. It also expands a kids’ vocabulary through several new words being introduced. The Fox and the Ghost King is definitely a must read for those who would want to be entertained hilariously!

Nuggets of Knowledge: Ice Cream Manufacturer

Bennett Cohen and Jerry Greenfield

 - Ice Cream Manufacturer

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Beauty and the Beast By Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson

Beauty and the Beast

by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson

      When I was just a small boy, my mom, brother and I used to watch the movie "Beauty and the Beast". Are you familiar with this movie? The movie tells of the story of a young prince, who, was cursed and turned into a horrible looking beast.  The curse was cast not only upon the prince but to the whole castle including all the people who works for him. However, there is one cure to rid-off the curse, and that is if somebody would love him despite of his beastly looking appearance.

     

      I realized that the story of Beauty and the Beast is relevant to us. Even though we look physically okay, we all have beasts within us that make us ugly. These beasts could be anger, resentments, envy, jealousy, pride and a whole lot more which make us look dreadful and kept others away from us. Though, just like in the story, there is a cure to wipe away all these unpleasant beasts inside us, that cure is the unconditional love of Jesus. Allowing Him into our lives, enables us to transform into a prince or princess that God wants us to be.

      I do remember of a story in the Bible about a small man named Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). He was the chief tax collector of the city of Jericho. In the old times, tax collectors are considered a traitor to Jews, everybody hated him. People would run away from him, others throw things at him, while others call him names. He was considered a beast to all of them. However, Zacchaeus’ life had a turn-around when He met Jesus in Jericho. Jesus took notice of his presence amidst the huge crowd and asked Zacchaeus if He could stay in his house. Zacchaeus hurriedly went down from the tree and delightedly accepts Jesus in his house. Jesus invitation to Zacchaeus did not sit well with the people around Him. Nevertheless, Jesus is totally different from us humans because He loves us despite our imperfections. In Zacchaeus story, Jesus’ unconditional love transformed a man who used to be greedy into a person God wants him to be.

      “He fell into despair, and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?” as quoted in the Beauty and the Beast movie. We all fall into despair, misery, rejection and sometimes lose all our hope thinking who could ever learn to love a beast? Jesus! Jesus is the one who loved, loves and will love us even in our beastly form. His love never changed. That’s how perfect His love for us!

      Hope you enjoy listening to my piano version of Beauty and the Beast.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24

-By Tim

Beauty and the Beast Song

By Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson

Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Than somebody bends
Unexpectedly

Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
And ever just as sure
As the sun will rise

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise

Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast

Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

Lyrics by LyricFind

Idiom of the Day: Everything but the Kitchen Sink

Meaning:
      The expression "about everything but the kitchen sink", means a lot of objects of different kinds.


Example:
     They say I am very talkative girl, I can talk for many hours and can discuss about everything but the kitchen sink.

Reader's Corner: The Great Escapade of a Toy Rabbit Named "Edward"

     “What do you call a rabbit with many fleas? Bugs Bunny!” Kate DiCamillo’s The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is an emotional tale of a china-made rabbit named Edward Tulane, who is owned by a young girl. Edward’s long journey began as he was brought with his owner to a ship. He was thrown out accidentally to the large and wide ocean, sparking an adventure that will show the rabbit the meaning of love.

     My favorite part of the story is while Edward was living in a doll shop, he meets an old doll who spoke words of wisdom to him when he was feeling hopeless of having no owner. I enjoyed that part because it was a very inspiring and motivating part of the story. To always have hope, even if we are in a desperate situation is just one of the many lessons I’ve learned from this story. It also points out the importance of having a positive outlook in life as well as learning to be happy and contented on what we have.

     I recommend this book for kids who are 9-12 years of age. I suggest this book for these specific ages because the book carries heavy emotions and has not much happy parts in it, which might not be encouraging for young kids. The story also has a bit of action in it. Most importantly, it has lots of lessons that we can learn from. Even though this book is recommended for young tweens or teens, others may find it worth reading as it may touch their lives through the emotional connection that the characters display in the story.

Proverbs to Ponder: Time Flies

Meaning:
     The proverb "times flies" means that the time goes faster more than we start to realize.


Example:
     Gerald and I finished playing soccer very late at night, we didn't notice how the time flew by.

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