LITTLE BOY (starring Kevin James, Michael Rapaport, Jakob Salvati, Emily Watson,
and Ali Landry, and is produced by heavyweight TV and movie producer,
Mark Burnett)
Set during the height of World War II, the film centers on a little boy, Pepper Flynt
Busbee (Jakob Salvati), who is willing to do whatever it takes to end
World War II so that he can bring his father home. Through his struggle,
Pepper learns lessons of morality, such as the value of self
sacrifice, how to face the town's bullies (at times hilariously depicted), the importance of racial
equality, and many lessons in between.
This heartwarming family film expertly captures feelings similar to those recognizable in so many great American movies.
Every young child looks forward to
the last day of school and the start of summer vacation. The excitement fills
the air in every classroom and students can’t wait to run out and enjoy the
beautiful weather, the outdoors and have some real fun. But, the students in
this classroom learn a lesson that they will take with them for a very long
time as Mrs. Hoot, their wise Owl teacher reminds them not to venture into the
Dark Forest, not to walk alone but remain with a Buddy using the very old but
popular Buddy System and stay safe. Adventures of Nutty and Twittles: Oh Nuts I
lost my little sister, teaches many important lessons that not only the special
animal characters in this story can learn but young children too.
Nutty and his school friends could
not run out fast enough when the bell rang hearing what Mrs. Hoot said but not
really processing the gravity of her words.
Speckles the turtle, Squinty the
raccoon, Nutty and the squirrel and his sister Twittles along with Robby Robin
could not wait to play hide “n” seek. Gathering his friends, explaining the
rules each of his friends tried his/her best to find a great hiding place.
Twittles was worried that she would be found first. Speckles wanted him to
count higher than 10 to give him a chance to hide. Wiggles was the first one he
found followed by some of the others. But, where they hid is a secret in case
they use the same hiding place next time. Everyone was accounted for except for
Twittles and this really scared Nutty. Each of his friends banned together with
him to try and find her and then Nutty remembered Mrs. Hoot’s words about the
Dark Forest and the Buddy System. The Buddy System is still in place in some
schools today and is a great way to make sure that children are paired with
someone and are safe and will not get lost. Robby flew up in the sky and
Wiggles looked under the branches and Squinty looked behind the rocks and
trees. NO TWITTLES! The illustrations are colorful, show the expressions on the
animal’s faces and the entrance to the Dark Forest making the story come alive
even for non-readers to understand and follow the plot. Poor Nutty, what was he
going to do and finding his way into the Dark Forest he comes in contact with
Plago and what happens makes his heart pound as he relates that she might be
lost. Realizing that he does not belong there Nutty leaves the forest and hears
a familiar Hoot! Just what happens and the lessons they all learn about the
Buddy System and the Dark Forest come full circle when Mrs. Hoot speaks from
above the trees. What she tells them is enlightening? Did anyone find Twittles
that remains to be seen? Hiding places are fun when they are not far from where
you are playing and you follow safety rules. Nutty and his friends learned the
importance of listening when an adult instructs them in a specific safety rule.
They just might understand the dangers of the Dark Forest and think twice
before even venturing in to this dangerous place. They learned the importance
of the Buddy System and the true meaning of friendship. Trust, loyalty,
forgiveness, understanding and friendship are all lessons learned in this great
story by Dennis Marcoux and illustrator Amy Rottinger. The pictures are
expressive and match the dialogue and the storyline and the faces and
expressions are well crafted and vividly depicted. So, what’s next for these
great characters? Let’s hope the author brings them back for another adventure
real soon. Where is Twittles? That’s a secret that cannot be revealed!
Welcome to The World of Ink Network show on Blog Talk Radio. Our goal
is to bring informative and entertaining shows to our listners.The
mission of the World of Ink Network is to share resources that introduce
tips, products and services to help strengthen, support and challenge
those who love writing and the written word. The World of Ink Network
hopes not only to bring authors, illustrators and publishers together,
but also help them reach their readership.
Noted writer and critic Bennet Pomerantz talks to media guests on the
World of Ink Network's ANY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE this Saturday at 9pm
Eastern - 8pm Central - 7pm Mountain - 6pm Pacific.
Welcome to The World of Ink
Network show on Blog Talk Radio. Our goal is to bring informative and
entertaining shows to our listners.The mission of the World of Ink
Network is to share resources that introduce tips, products and services
to help strengthen, support and challenge those who love writing and
the written word.
Listen today to the Families Matter show at 4pm Eastern - 3pm Central -
2pm Mountain - 1pm Pacific. Hosts Virginia S Grenier and Marsha Casper
Cook will be talking with Author Brad Wilcox.
Brad Wilcox is an Associate Professor at Brigham Young University
where he also works with such programs as Especially for Youth and
Campus Education Week. He grew up in Ethiopia, Africa, and has also
lived with his family in New Zealand and Chile. He is the best-selling
author of many books, including Tips for Tackling Teenage Troubles, The Best-Kept Secrets of Parenting, and Straight Talk for Parents: What Teenagers Wish They Could Tell You. His children's picture book, Hip, Hip, Hooray for Annie McRae! was
a top finalist for the Children's Choice Award in Utah. He is a popular
speaker and has presented throughout the country and internationally.
You can learn more at http://familius.com/how-to-hug-a-hedgehog and http://bradwilcox.com/
The Best-Kept Secrets of Parenting authors Brad Wilcox and
Jerrick Robbins are back with a new parenting book, this time focused on
our prickly young friends: teenagers. How to Hug a Hedgehog: 12 Keys for Connecting with Teens explores
ways parents can help teens improve communication, overcome adversity,
and build self-esteem with 12 specific keys and a variety of examples
and sources.
Aimee Tupps grew up in a small farm community in
Connersville, Indiana. She currently resides in Grand Blanc,
Michigan. In her spare time she enjoys daydreaming, traveling, sunsets,
the outdoors but most of all spending time with her family. As a young
girl she entertained herself by living adventures from her imagination.
Aimee looks at every day as a blessing and another day to make her dreams a
reality. She is still in touch with her inner teenager and enjoys the
mischief she can get into. Family is one of the most important things in her
life. She has a degree in Medical Transcription. Currently she
works as an optical technician/tester. She has one adoring husband who
joins in her mischief or is the recipient of it along with her two loveable
children and one hyper dog.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
Stories from my
imagination have always been a part of me.I love storytelling and have practiced my entire life.Since I was young I have written
stories.I can see my growth but there
are three stories that I return to all the time.The Shadow one is my favorite.
Where did the inspiration for Shadow TEARScome from?
The title came from one of the
hardest times in our family life.My
husband’s illness took control of our life and I invented this whole world with
the help of my children.We were staying
in a hotel across from Cleveland Clinic. My little ones would stare out all
those windows and they would have condensation on them.My children didn’t whine or cry about what
was happening in our life.They thought
this was the norm.Nevertheless they
would stand in front of those windows and I felt like the environment was
crying for them.I wanted my children
to be able to face anything sent their way.
What made you choose to write a novel?
My son one night wanted the book to
read alone.I didn’t have it.It hit me that he and my daughter needed
these stories even if I had to have them bound and printed at an office
store.
What is the main message or theme that you hope readers of this book
come away from it with?
I want people to be able to face
any challenge and to be able to overcome it.This book was written with my children in mind.I wanted my children to be able to face
anything sent their way.No illness
would be allowed to steal our joy of life.So I used things I saw that influenced those around me and put a paranormal
spin to them.Selena faces things that
the average teenager and young adult faces while the adults face their own
dilemmas.This may be a sci-fi fantasy
book but there are life lessons.No
problem is small to the person going through the event but they can be
overcomed.
Who is your favorite author?
I love too many to choose.
Do you have a writing routine? A special pen, a certain type of music,
time limits?
I have a cozy room in my home that
is for my writing.This room contains
more than just the normal thing you find in a study.I am a person who loves comfort and my
family.We have three desks and have
always had a children’s corner.I have a
comfy chair to read new releases from my favorite authors or to play Destiny
Ninja Warrior. Yeah, I am in touch with
my inner teenager.Crazy, I know.I write on my computer and I do use notebooks
that I write in too.This one little
room is the heart of the house in many ways.The children call it the comfy room that is warm.
We do have time limits in a way but my children are grown
now.We eat dinner as a family after
work. I do work late into the night on my books.
Music is not background noise in
our house.It is an event no matter what
type it is.We are a musical family and
love all types of music.We listen to
classical, foreign, to the modern genres.In fact I have a young gentleman who writes beautiful music and he has
enhanced my book with music made just for my series.I can’t wait to share them.He is in the process of copyrighting them so
it won’t be much longer.He has done
several styles of music but the music he has created for Shadow Tears is perfect.It
matches.
Do you enjoy edits/rewrites, or not?
It all depends on my mood.I love to write more than edit.
Please tell us a little bit about
your journey to publication:
What is the hardest part of being a writer?
Time
When you're not writing, what are your other hobbies/passions?
My family is my passion.We hike and go to the beach.We do live in Michigan and are surrounded by
water.We love the outdoors and play well
together.The girls are into reading,
music and art while my boys are different.Tyler is a gamer and historian.He is in college now.My hubby is
a lot like Shep.He loves holidays,
movies and the outdoors.We all love to
listen to old radio shows.Meggan is an
artist and loves history and music.We
love being a family.
Are you working on any new projects?
I am working on the whole series but the main project now is
Book 2.This is a small peek.
I will start editing book two after the Christmas
Holiday.This Christmas will be a
similar holiday to the one when Shadow
Tears began since my husband has had a reoccurrence of his cancer.I will keep working on it so we can get in to
your hands.
Book 2 Shadow -------- tba
Selena, Matthew barely survived their first encounter with
their Shadow enemies.They were shoved
into what Shadows term as a vortex to stabilize their Shadow genes from
disintegrating into nothingness.Afterwards they are delivered from the vortex into the arms of Shep and
Victor.The children will need time to
heal while they enjoy their first Christmas together with their friends and
family in the Shadow Realm.During the
next several months Selena and Matthew will discover their rich heritage, visit
the main Capitol of the Shadow Realm, Troy.The Shadow Realm is just like Jared’s journals had described.
A new year looms on the horizon as
does the enemy.Shep and Billy expect
this year to be more challenging since the enemy is aware Selena exists.They are fairly certain none of the enemy
returned home to report what they had found, so hopefully Selena will remain
safe for now.That poor child has no
idea what her first steps back onto these grounds have announced.The sisters of fate seem to be untwining
their twine.May Zeus deliver them all
from Cronos.
Quick Fire round:
Coke or Pepsi?Pepsi
Chocolate or Vanilla?Chocolate
Rainy winter days or blazing hot
summer days?Blazing hot summer days
Hard Copy or e-book?ebook
Favorite book?Shadow
Tears
Last book you read?Shadow
Tears
What's a quote that inspires you? Tomorrow
is another day
What's your favorite comfort food?icing
Title:Shadow Tears
Author: A. J. Tupps
ISBN: 978-1-61244-310-2
Page count: 302
Genre: Young Adult – Coming of Age Novel
Price: $16.95 for paperback and $5.99 e-book
About the book:
Shadow Tears is the first book in a series. In this book you meet
Selena Goodwin who discovers more about her heritage than she ever
wanted. She has special abilities that are fascinating while others are
frightening to her. All her beliefs are tested when she finds out that
the mortal rules don’t apply to everybody or everything. Her knowledge of
the supernatural and myths might become her only means to survive. She
must accept who she is meant to be.
Being thrust into a world full of secrets,
danger, and a family she didn’t know existed is overwhelming, not to mention a
responsibility. Luckily she still has the love and support of her adoptive
father who had known all along who she is meant to be. To make things
worse she discovers her very existence is threatened by an unknown enemy.
The normal obstacles of being a teenager are hard enough. Now she has to
learn how to live a lie while falling in love and accepting her life as it was
meant to be. High school is supposed to be the best years of your
life.
Selena must rely on
strangers who she is not sure are reliable. The only person she can rely
on must stand between her and the possibility of death. Selena faces
these realms with reality always reminding her she is fallible. Yet she
can overcome anything with the love of her family and friends.
Where can we go to buy
your book?
Shadow Tears is now
available on the Halo Publishing website, Amazon.com, Kindle, Barnes and Noble,
Nook, Bowker Books, Ingram Distributing, B. Dalton, and many more
The World of Ink Network
brings you shows each week on topics such as books, writing, author
interviews, self-help and much more. Today on The Empowerment Show the hosts will be chatting with Mom Blogger Kari Kampakis.
WhenKari Kampakis wrote a blog post in July 2013
titled "10 Truths Young Girls Should Know," the post went viral and was
shared more than 65,000 times on Facebook. Her message stuck a chord
with moms and dads across the country. Teen girls deal daily with
cliques, bullying, rejection, and social media nightmares. Kampakis
wants girls to know that they don't have to compromise their integrity
and future to find love, acceptance, and security.
Kari Kampakis is a newspaper columnist, blogger, and former
children's photographer from Birmingham, Alabama. Her writing has been
featured on HuffPost Parents and reflects her passion for family and
God. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Kari holds an MBA and
public relations degree. She and her husband, Harry, live in blessed
chaos with their four daughters and a dog named Lola.
Join us Today at 4pm Eastern - 3pm Central - 2pm Mountain - 1pm
Pacific for a discussion about families, communication and much more.
The discussion is open to callers and comments/questions in the
chatroom.
The World of Ink Network brings you shows each week on topics
such as books, writing, author interviews, self-help and much more. You
can also follow us at http://worldofinknetwork.com, our blog http://worldofinknetwork.blogspot.com, and on Facebook and Twitter.
