Books #128-#131: history, plants, manners, and Jim Carrey

Book #128: Don’t Throw it, Grow It! by Deborah Peterson & Millicent Selsam

I read this book out of boredom one day and it sort of inspired me to want to actually plant things and watch them grow. When I was younger, I used to enjoy growing beans, but I lost interest. Anyway, about the book, it’s easy to understand and it’s filled with great ideas for experimenting with gardening.

Reminds me of my dear gardening friends, Luda and Reema. 😄

There are no photographs, but illustrations which is fine by me, but I think the authors could’ve added a bit more information about the plants. Overall, this book is worth .

Book #129: First In Trinidad by Michael Anthony

I love this book! It was easy to read and I enjoyed discovering more historical facts about my country such as the first survey, the first few streets of Port-of-Spain, how the French made education a thing, the first time we got television service, and the first time the telephone rang which was 1885. 

It’s a really informative book and I’ll read it again when the time permits. While reading, I was inspired to write a story using ‘old’ Trinidad as the backdrop setting, so it looks like I’ll be reading more historical books like these soon. 

I’ll strongly recommend this book for Trinidadians who are not aware of their history: 

#Yay4History

Book #130: Multicultural Manners: Essential Rules of Etiquette for the 21st Century by Norine Dresser

This book was written with the American in mind. The author reminds her fellow Americans that they should know another’s culture before doing things the “American Way”, but at the same time, she is defending the “American Way” in some instances.

We all should do a bit of research before visiting a foreign country. A few interesting things I noted:

^ Never call a Mexican the ‘s’ word. Even if you’re correcting a Mexican child, never use the word ‘stupid’ for it’s the worst possible insult to a Mexican.

^ Some Puerto Ricans will not eat pineapple in combination with other foods. 

^ Yellow flowers hold negative connotations for people such as Mexicans, Peruvians, and Iranians so it’s safer not to gift them such color flowers. Meanwhile, Chinese and most Asian people respond negatively to white flowers because it’s often associated with death. 

Overall, I enjoy learning about so many cultures: 

Book #131: How Roland Rolls by Jim Carrey

First, the illustrations in this children’s book (recommended for 4-8-year-olds) is SLAMMING!

It makes you want to go on a sea adventure. It makes you want to surf and do all water sports. Jim posed for many of the Roland faces throughout the story which is written in rhyme and it flowed well. Roland is a wave and we’re rolled along with his adventure even when he can’t find his friends. Later, Roland will learn that waves cannot make it past land. 

It’s about the importance of friendship, leaving old friends behind and making new friends.

Hmmm… I wonder how Jim Carrey rolls?