Thursday, November 29, 2012

"Ella the Pink Elephant" by Doris Rueger (Review & Giveaway)


ISBN: 978-1469937564
Softcover - $9.00

Kids love stories about elephants and who can resist one about a pink elephant.  But how in the world can there be a pink elephant?

Ella arrives as a new born elephant born in captivity in a zoo.  Her birth makes everyone happy.  She was taken care of by Zeppo, who was once a clown in a circus.  Having a flare for different and exciting, Zeppo outfitted Ella in pink clothes and jewelry.  Now since we are telling a story, Ella has feelings (like you and I) and the feelings of enjoying all the pretties that Zeppo fixed her up with. But she outgrew them.

Next she became a fixture at weddings outfitted still in the lovely pink and taking part in the weddings.  But she outgrew that and the reason was she was simply getting older and was too tired to work.  She didn't feel pretty any more. She had many wrinkles.  She felt unloved and unwanted.

The story is developed by the author to teach that we can be loved simply for who we are and not because we are outfitted with pretty things or because we look pretty or can do fun things.  We can be loved simply as we are.

The illustrations are simple crayon drawings that children can identify with.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Begins  Nov. 29 & ENDS Dec. 10 @12:01 a.m. EST
Open for USA Addresses Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway  
About the author:  Born and raised in Germany, Doris Rueger attended college in the United States and graduated with a master's degree in literature and journalism. After a 30-year career in the scientific community, she now pursues her love of literature by writing and illustrating children's books.Ms. Rueger currently lives in Bellport, NY.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary review copy of this book via Bostick Communication and the author to facilitate my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was not required to render a positive review. Giveaway copy is provided by and shipped by the author to the winner.

53 comments:

  1. I had a friend recently in fact, she was real down and out. Life was no where near going the way she would have liked.. We were talking, and she mentioned how she was never good at anything, hobbies, cooking, work, anything.. I sat there and told her she was an amazing wife, and mother to her children, and that is all that matters! As soon as I said that her eyes lit up. She said she never thought about that before! Now she just concentrates on being herself, and slowly everything is falling into place for her and her family!
    Crystal Gibson
    mrs.gibson24@yahoo.com

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  2. Oh my, I have a lot of little great-grandchildren who would love to receive this book for Christmas. Since there are many and my pocketbook light, this would be an appreciated win. Thanks Vera for this chance.
    MAXIE ( mac262@me.com )

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  3. This question is a hard one. I know this young woman who wasn't married when she had her baby boy. He was born with lots of troubles and needed lots of surgeries and many trips to the hospital. I have encouraged her every step of the way, telling her she is a very good mother, and, when the docs acted like she wasn't feeding him good enough because he wasn't gaining as fast as they wanted him to, I reminded her that no one loved that baby more and wanted him well more than her. He is almost 2 now, and a delight. Smiles most all time, Just as bright as any his age, tho he's been in the hospital so often. He still has to have more surgeries, but you'd never know it by watching him in action. Thank GOD for this little boy. Maxie

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  4. I think it's important to make sure older family members are included in activities. My mom for example likes to shop, but I have to remember not to make a "day" of it since she tires easily. I think too, it's important to value the wisdom of someone older than yourself.

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  5. I have a family member that has really been down on themselves lately because they think they are no longer attractive. I keep trying to remind this person that they are one of the most beautiful people I know because of what's on the inside. I'm trying to be supportive and help them not dwell on aging too much. Our society is so wrapped up in the physical appearance; especially as women, sometimes it's hard not to let aging get the better of your spirit.

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  6. We had an elderly friend at a local Veterans Home that passed away recently. We met because he needed help with his computer so we helped him and then we would also take him out to dinner from time to time and go swimming at the pool on the Veterans Home grounds. His own daughter ignored him and he was so grateful to just have a family to spend time with especially since he had been the homemaker in his family while his wife had gone out to work.

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  7. I think you can visit or call. It's never a bad idea to simply tell them you love them.

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  8. I tell my daughter that it's okay to be herself, that she can like whatever she likes. I tell both my nephew and her that there are no boy or girl toys/movies/etc. I support their interests. I take them both to dance class every week.

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  9. Ways to make someone feel better- complimenting their strengths, praising them when they do something good or nice, being gentle in correction and of course lots of hugs

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  10. Just by offering a hug and sympathetic ear when someone has experienced a loss or is in distress.

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  11. I try to take care of everyday tasks for my 90 year old MIL so that she can put her energy toward doing the things she enjoys.

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  12. when my grandmother was aging, i made sure she had someone to take her places, and someone to help her do stuff...when she got moved into a nursing home i would visit here almost everyday and she would make me a shopping list and I would do her shopping.. then when she came home I spent 48 hrs taking care of her, and just being their listening to her stories and being with her. we never know when our lives our going to end so we need to make sure that we do everything we can to make them special moments special my grandmother passed away after 48 hrs of being home but i made sure she had everything she needed during those 48 hrs:(

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  13. i have known people who have lost children like I have and I have shared my experiences with them, and just been there when they needed someone:)(

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  14. Be a good listener and friend. Make yourself available to help someone even if you have other things that may need to be done. You never know when someone will go out of their way to help you.

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  15. My daughter is great at this! She always makes people feel loved. She is genuinely happy to see them.

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  16. Complimenting in any way always helps.

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  17. Just being available

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  18. send cards just to let them know you are thinking of them

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  19. Visting with them and listening to their stories and hopefully learning something from them! :-)

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  20. Encouraging them to tell stories and being a good listener.

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  21. I am a social worker who works with the elderly. You can make someones day by being a good listener.

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  22. My kids color pictures to send to their grandparents in the mail.

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  23. I sent a lot of encouraging cards in the mail to make people feel loved and appreciated.

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  24. I would make time for them. A lot of times we get caught up in our own lives and forget to call and ask how our parents are doing. I make it a point to call my grandma once a week and to see her at least once a month!

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  25. As someone mentioned above, encouraging older people to talk about their lives shows them that they are important. Too many times we lose elderly people and know nothing about them. It's important while they are alive to have them tell their stories, and if you are able, to write them down for them. No matter how much you think you know your parents or grandparents, when they are gone you think of a hundred questions you would have asked them.

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  26. One way I have helped others feel better about themselves is to offer sincere compliments on their character. When we compliment them on how they look,especially to children, they begin to believe looks are what is important. Compliment instead on their positive traits: "You are so good-hearted," or "It's obvious you work very hard on your piano-playing," or "I admire the way you let that other kid go first."

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  27. You can make them feel loved by reading to them and spending time listening to their stories ( even if you have heard them before) terri.moore30@yahoo.com

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  28. Just be there! Always. Be sure to include them in family events.
    In my case move them into your home. My Mom lives with us.
    Connie Gruning
    CGruning at aol (dot) com

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  29. I would ask them if they need help with anything. I know a lot of older people love to have you visit them.
    oregonrockmom@gmail.com

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  30. I try to help my young girls with their self esteem. I always let them know they can talk to me about anything.

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  31. I always would make sure they had company and something to eat. If they were alone make sure to include them inviting them to our home for the holidays.

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  32. I had an elderly friend who lived alone and my family always included her in our family birthdays, weddings and holidays. It made her feel good to be around people again and to be part of a family again.

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  33. I went over and sat with them and listened to what they needed to get out.

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  34. We take my children to visit the senior's at the Retirement homes. The elderly really get a kick out of the kids, and it teaches the kids to respect and enjoy all people, and to try to brighten up people's day that maybe don't have lots of family around.

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  35. I helped someone to feel better about themselves by giving a handwritten note telling them how much they mean to me, along with a candy bar.

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  36. Just spending time with them, getting them out and about, can work wonders:-)

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  37. By being patient and showing them that they can do things for themselves

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  38. Calling them every week!

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  39. spending time together. Thanks for the opportunity. Merry Christmas

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  40. I help people feel better as a patient advocate volunteer at the hospital..mostly listening :) jessicapeeling@yahoo.com

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  41. Let them know often how special they are, whether it's buying them their favorite treat to show them you remember or by calling them...

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  42. I think just being a listener for someone who needs to vent is always good for the other person

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  43. My grandma loves when I have my children call her just to say how their day went. She lives 12 hours a way and we only see her a few times a year. I think she loves to feel connected to our family even when she can't see us.

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  44. I invite a single friend over for dinner with my family to remind them that they are not forgotten.

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  45. call and stop in!! they get lonely.

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  46. I think it always helps my parents to go someplace where they can play with my son- like the Children's Museum or science center. Those places make everyone feel like a kid again!

    azawinski at gmail dot com

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  47. Sometimes, I can tell when my grandparents are feeling lonely and a phone call or drawings from my son always cheer them up.

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  48. Spending time with them, calling them, and sending them cards on holidays and birthdays.

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  49. michelle gilliland mcafeeDecember 9, 2012 at 10:44 PM

    Spending time with them, making time with them. Don't treat them like they are a baby or a burden. Be there for them.

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  50. michelle gilliland mcafeeDecember 9, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    I believe I helped a guy in a wheelchair by telling him I believed in him and that he could get a job doing what he wanted to do, I helped him think about his goals and encouraged them to write them down and make a plan.

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  51. A visit or call can always raise someones spirit. :-)

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  52. My downstairs neighbor has a difficult time leaving her house so I come by and visit her and just listen to her tell her stories and keep her company! I know it cheers her right up!

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