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It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff by Peter Walsh

Natasha Maw — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:32:26 +0000

A few years back I went to a home show for one and one reason only: Peter Walsh. He was the guy they were marketing to get people in the door and boy, did he get me in the door. At that time I had already read his book It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff and knew that he was one smart cookie. I loved his philosophy about the relationship that we have with our stuff. His short seminar that he gave that day was worth every penny. He was hilarious! I simply loved everything about him.

Earlier this year, I got the bug to get rid of stuff! And one when gets that urging, it should under no circumstances be ignored. Take advantage of it while you can. So I pulled out It’s All Too Much and read it again. And I loved it again. Peter Walsh just makes so much sense.

This isn’t a book about how to organize your sock drawer (although it might be mentioned) but rather it’s a book about our relationship with our stuff. And that by changing our relationship with our stuff then the process of decluttering and organizing our possessions comes much easier. We can take control of our stuff rather then the stuff controlling us.

When we have emotions tied to objects then it makes getting rid of those objects hard. But is it about the object itself or is it about the memory associated with that object? Which is more important? And if something is so important to us why are we treating it with such disrespect shoved and broken in the back of a closet or in a moldy basement? He says that one of the most common errors when attempting to organize and declutter is to start with “the stuff.” Clearing the clutter isn’t about “the stuff.”

Peter Walsh asks us what type of life do we want to live?

Imagine the life you want to live. I cannot think of a sentence that has had more impact on the lives of the people I have worked with. I’ll repeat it again: Imagine the life you want to live. Life is never perfect, but we all have unique visions of the lives we wish were ours. When clutter fills your home, not only does it block your space, but it also blocks your vision. . . . It’s a deceptively simple question and one that we seldom ask: “What is the life you want? “

And what I love about this book is that it is not overwhelming. Imagine trying to tackle decluttering our entire house at the same time. It makes me want to go back to bed. It makes me want to go watch an episode of Hoarders so I’ll feel good about my housekeeping abilities. But Peter Walsh has everything set up step by step so that we start out with small victories and then take on larger tasks.

Once you decide what kind of vision you want for you and your family, then it’s time to start tackling the surface clutter. He gives specific ways on how to do this and then moves through the house room by room: master bedroom, kids’ rooms, family and living rooms, home office, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, garage, basement and other storerooms. He then addresses how to stay on top of the clutter, daily, monthly and yearly maintenance and what happens if you relapse.

But what I love so much about this book is that I just didn’t read it, tell myself well, that sounds like good stuff and then just go on with life. I actually did change the way I viewed my house and the stuff in it. I actually started to apply the advice that he gave. And seriously, what a difference! I hardly give a second thought to throwing away or giving away stuff that simply doesn’t matter. I feel freer having less stuff to deal with.

But I’ll also be completely honest. I’m by no means perfect. I have a really hard time with the daily clutter. Keeping up with my dishes, the laundry, and picking up the toys. Do I get stressed when somebody knocks on my door? Sadly, I do. My house is often not clean enough to feel comfortable inviting somebody in. Always something to work on right?

I haven’t read any of Peter Walsh’s other books but I’m thinking that as I like his style, I definitely should. If you need an easy to read, step by step book to help you you tackle the clutter and live a richer life with less stuff, than It’s All Too Much is the book that will help you get there.

What about you? How do you deal with the clutter? Any other Peter Walsh fans out there?

Links of interest: Peter Walsh website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Non-Fiction, Organizational Self-Help
Publisher: Free Press. December 12, 2006
Hardcover, 240 pages. ISBN 0743292642
It’s All Too Much is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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The Can Man by Laura E. Williams, Illustrated by Craig Orback

Natasha Maw — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 05:25:21 +0000

The Can Man by Laura E. Williams and illustrated by Craig Orback as described by the publisher:

Tim’s birthday is just a week away, and more than anything he wants a skateboard. But money is tight, and Tim knows his family cannot afford to buy him a board. As Tim ponders how he might earn money for a skateboard, he hears The Can Man down the street collecting empty soft drink cans. The clang of the cans in the homeless man’s cart gives Tim an idea. He will collect cans too, and cash them in for the redemption money. By the end of the week, Tim has almost reached his goal – until a couple of chance encounters with The Can Man change everything.

There were several things that I liked about this picture book. One – the oil paintings. I really like the look of fine art where you can see the canvas texture and brush strokes. It’s warm, simple and straightforward.

Two - Tim’s mother is Asian and his father African-American. I liked that.

Three – The Can Man wasn’t some crazy homeless guy on the sidewalk who everybody was scared of. He was just a really nice guy who happened to be down on his luck. In fact, Tim’s parents knew him prior to his collecting cans, when he used to live in their building. He was somebody who in tough times was being resourceful and trying to do whatever he had to do to support himself.

And four – I liked that The Can Man didn’t get upset with Tim when he began to take his cans. Tim probably should have known better but The Can Man took it all in stride. And when Tim decides to think twice about his redemption money and that The Can Man likely needs it more than him, The Can Man is very thoughtful in saying thank you.

And last – It’s a book which easily could turn into a lecture but rather it brings the social commentary about homelessness and poverty to the forefront of the story without being in your face. It’s a story of kindness and respect. Of doing the right thing when perhaps you didn’t know that’s what you set out to do in the first place.

Links of interest: Laura E. Williams website, Craig Orback website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction picture book. Approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Lee & Low Books. April 30, 2010
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 1600602665
Copy source: Review copy from the publisher.
The Can Man is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood, Illustrated by Reneta Liwska

Natasha Maw — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 03:20:37 +0000

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Reneta Liwska is a beautiful book. I had to stop myself from typing out instead – a beautiful, quiet book. But The Quiet Book is just that. Quiet. A book meant to be read in hushed whispers and soft voices. The perfect book to read to small ones in bed too, that’s right, quietly usher them to sleep.

There are many different kinds of quiet that one will experience throughout the day. A few of those are first awake quiet, others telling secrets quiet, color in the lines quiet, hide-and-seek quiet, sleeping sister quiet, car ride at night quiet, bedtime kiss quiet, and also sound asleep quiet.

The simple text is multi-layered. “Thinking of a good reason you were drawing on the wall quiet” will surely have children reflecting on their own experiences.

The illustrations by Reneta Liwska are soft. Gorgeous. The many different type of quiet are portrayed by different forest animals – bear, rabbit, moose, mouse, porcupine, owl to name a few. When one thinks of how many different ways an illustrator can take the text of a book and choose to interpret it, The Quiet Book feels as though the text and illustration were made for each other. It simply wouldn’t work any other way. It’s perfectly done.

The Quiet Book is one of those books that when you have it in your hands and even before opening that first page, you know it’s special. It feels special. I love books like that.

Links of interest: Deborah Underwood website, Reneta Liwska blog, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction picture book. Approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. April 12, 2010.
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 0547215673
Source: Review copy sent from the author.
The Quiet Book is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Bifocal by Deborah Ellis & Eric Walters

Natasha Maw — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:16:45 +0000

So first things first to get it out of the way. Yes, Bifocal by Deborah Ellis & Eric Walters has an awful cover. But on the other hand, it’s co-written by Deborah Ellis. That’s enough for me to look past the cover. Unfortunately, if kids aren’t familiar with how awesome Deborah Ellis, will kids pick this one up? I don’t think so. Definitely needs a cover redo. Not dynamic or interesting at all. Covers sell books and this cover is likely hindering what I thought was a good book.

I love Deborah Ellis and the synopsis of Bifocal had me itching at the bit to read it:

Haroon is a serious student devoted to his family; Jay is a rising football star devoted to his team. They may go to the same high school and walk the same hallways, but they are worlds apart. And that’s just the way it is.

One day the high school is put on lockdown, and the police arrest a Muslim student on suspicion of terrorist affiliations. Is the boy really guilty, or has he been singled out because of his race? Student loyalties quickly divide along racial lines, and Haroon and Jay will have to take sides with their own kins.

It’s not like they really have a choice.

A good look on what happens when we judge others unfairly and carry prejudices about others that we don’t understand nor feel as though we want to understand. The story was engaging and Haroon and Jay are characters who grow and change throughout the course of the novel. Not my favorite Deborah Ellis book (still reserving that for The Breadwinner series) but one well worth having on your radar. Stories like these are always important.

Links of interest: More book blogger reviews. Deborah Ellis books also reviewed by Maw Books: The Breadwinner, Mud City, Parvana’s Journey, Lunch with Lenin and Other Stories, The Heaven Shop.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Publisher: Fitzhenry and Whiteside. October 15, 2007.
Hardcover, 240 pages. ISBN 155455036X
Source copy: Review copy at my request.
Bifocal is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Scaredy Squirrel at Night by Melanie Watt

Natasha Maw — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 06:08:08 +0000

Well, I think that it’s pretty safe to say that anything Melanie Watt writes is pretty much perfection and gold. Scaredy Squirrel at Night is no exception. I love this picture book! Melanie Watt is incredibly clever and her books are so much fun to read.

Scaredy Squirrel never sleeps, he’d much rather stay awake for days at a time rather than risk having a bad dream in the middle of the night. A few of the things that Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of? Ghosts, unicorns, dragons, fairies, vampire bats, and polka-dot monsters. I mean, come on, isn’t everybody?! But when Scaredy Squirrel can’t avoid the inevitable - pure exhaustion and sleep – he has a plan that should put all his fears to rest. But things may get a little messy.

So many little details in the illustrations that it’s a lot of fun to read this one withbo my kids. But what Melanie Watt book isn’t? If you haven’t discovered her picture books yet, you should!

Links of interest: Melanie Watt website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Kids Can Press. February 10, 2009.
Source: Review copy for Cybil’s for which I was a panelist.
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 1554532884
Scaredy Squirrel at Night is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban and Illustrated by Henry Cole

Natasha Maw — Mon, 24 May 2010 10:28:41 +0000

My two little boys, age four and three, love Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban and illustrated by Henry Cole. I secretly wish that I could keep the pages of picture books perfectly crisp and pristine but then I have to tell myself that if that was the case in my house, then nobody would be reading the book. I’m pleased to say that I can see the wear and tear of where little hands having been turning the pages of this adorable book.

Mouse was mad. Hopping mad. But Hare shows mouse how he’s not hopping properly. But Mouse couldn’t hop right. Which made him even more mad. This time stomping mad. But Bear doesn’t call that stomping. When he stomped the trees shook and the earth rumbled. Mouse tries to stomp like Bear but the trees did not shake and the earth did not rumble. Which of course, made him even more mad. Bobcat and Hedgehog don’t think he’s doing a fine job either. But in the end, Mouse finds that he can be a type of mad that not even the other animals can perfect and also discovers something about himself as well.

As a parent, I really enjoy reading Mouse Was Mad aloud because it’s got such a great rhythm and really fun actions. We can act out the book all together. This book will have your kids up and moving. Giggles will be sure to ensue as well. Mouse, illustrated by Henry Cole, is so cute, I wouldn’t mind toting him around in my pocket. Even if he is a mouse.

Links of interest: Linda Urban website, Henry Cole website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. May 4, 2009.
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 0152053379
Source copy: Review copy, Cybil’s nominee for which I was a panelist.
Mouse Was Mad is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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A Child’s Journey Out of Autism: One Family’s Story of Living in Hope and Finding a Cure by Leeann Whiffen

Natasha Maw — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:15:02 +0000

Life couldn’t have been better for the Whiffen family when they welcomed newborn Clay into their lives. Mother Leeann was thrilled that he would grow up closely with his older brother. As any mother does, she has big hopes and dreams for her children and her family. But when Clay is two, he begins to regress, no longer speaks, and develops behavioral problems.

Autism.

It’s a word that Leeann refuses to even say. While she still has big hopes and dreams, they have suddenly shifted to something much more immediate. Each day Clay slips farther into his shell. This is something that she can not ignore or wait out. Through immediate and exhaustive treatment, Leeann fights as only a mother can fight. A fight to reclaim her son before it’s too late. The title of her moving memoir, A Child’s Journey Out of Autism: One Family’s Story of Living in Hope and Finding a Cure by Leeann Whiffen, is aptly named. For it is a fight that she wins. Clays diagnosis is completely removed.

This family’s story however is not as simple as the above description makes it seem. The research that Leeann conducts is overwhelming. The intensive, in-home therapy treatments are not covered by insurance and the $40,000 price tag is a financial strain. Add on top of that the added strain of relationships, friendships and simply on oneself, and the years of treatment are exhausting

In A Child’s Journey Out of Autism, Leeann shares her darkest moments, the lowest of lows, her guilt, worry, sadness, unbelief, and her highest of highs, her determination, strength, energy, and the happiness in reclaiming her son. She writes with such honesty and beauty. Such an important book to read regardless if you know somebody with autism or not. Every child is different and this is just one family’s journey of customized treatment and recovery but it’s a testament to a mother’s love for her child. It is a testament to empowered parents. It is a testament to the joy of a child. To reclaiming that which was once lost.

Watch this short trailer for the book featuring Clay himself and then watch for my author interview with Leeann Whiffen immediately following this post. Leeann lives locally to me and I’ve been fortunate to meet her on several occasions. Reading her book is like discovering a friend that you wish you always had and if it’s not to bold of myself to say, I feel fortunate to now call her one myself.

Links of interest: Leeann Whiffen website, blog and Twitter. More book blogger reviews. Did you know April is National Autism Awareness Month? Check out all my book reviews that address autism.
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Publisher: Sourcebooks. March 1, 2009
Paperback, 336 pages. ISBN 1402218389
Source copy: Review copy
A Child’s Journey Out of Autism is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers by Natasha Wing, Illustrated by Julia Breckenreid

Natasha Maw — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:05:53 +0000

I took a color theory class when I was in college and it’s one of the most memorable of all my coursework. I recently was cleaning out my basement and came across all my projects for the class. Basically, these projects involved a lot of cutting and pasting of colored squares as we experimented with how colors interacted with each other. Take two identical colored squares but place them on separate colors and the perceived hue will change. Colors are not always what they appear to be. There is enough to learn about color that we spent an entire semester doing so.

It’s for this reason that I was interested in taking a look at An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Julia Breckenreid. This picture book would have been so much fun to read the first day of my color theory class! As a young child, author Natasha Wing, was a neighbor to Josef Albers. When her mother framed the Christmas card he sent, she knew that he must be somebody important but it wasn’t until she was grown and moved away that she began to realize the significance of Josef Albers.

This short biography of the artist describes how it wasn’t until he was in his sixties that he chose the most geometrically perfect shape of a square and used it as his pallet to experiment with color. He proved that colors don’t stand alone. They interact with each other. When one changes a color, the entire mood of it can change. For twenty-seven years he painted thousands of squares and was the first person to be given a living artist one-man show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The book is very simple to read and has a entertaining narrative with a lot of great color examples. At the end of the book there is an authors note detailing the authors childhood relationship with Albers. There is also an extended biography to learn more about Albers life and career as well as a glossary and selected bibliography. It’s these details that turn a book into a true teaching tool. A fantastic book for a glimpse into the awesome world of color and a man who dedicated his life in exploring it.

Links of interest: Natasha Wing website, Julia Breckenreid website.
Genre: Picture book, approx ages 9-12.
Publisher: Henry Holt. September 1, 2009.
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 0805080724
Source: Review copy
An Eye for Color is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story by Paula Yoo, Illustrated by Dom Lee

Natasha Maw — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:30:53 +0000

As an adult, I have found that I am introduced to much of history through picture books. Do you know the Sammy Lee story? Read Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story by Paula Yoo and illustrated by Dom Lee and you will. Son to Korean Immigrants, Sammy Lee, would watch children play in the public swimming pool on the hot summer days in 1932. But people of color, like himself, were only allowed to use the pool one day a week. During that single day, he began to learn how to dive.

But discrimination wasn’t just apparent at the swimming pool, he wasn’t even allowed to attend his own prom despite being class president. Over the next sixteen years, he dreams of becoming an Olympic diving champion. He works hard and relentlessly. And all the while, fulfilling his father’s dream to become a doctor.

At the age of twenty-eight he finally gets his chance to compete for Olympic gold. Despite the international venue, he still faces prejudice because he wasn’t white. This only added to his determination to win. Winning a bronze medal in one competition, he aims for gold in his strongest competition – the 10 meter platform. Training for sixteen years brings him to a moment that would last only sixteen seconds – from the time he begins the dive to finding out his score. A score which would bring a perfect score from one judge and thus earning him the title of being the first Asian American to win an Olympic Gold medal.

A very inspiring story that ends with his father’s words: “In America, you can achieve anything if you set your heart to it.”

A short video that features an interview with Sammy Lee:

There is so much going for this book. It is a story of immigration, prejudice and discrimination, dreams, determination, practice, perseverance, struggle, and triumph. But this is no story. This is life. And an inspiring one at that. This picture book and Sammy Lee’s story deserves to be in the classroom, the library, the home, and in a child’s hands.

Links of interest: Paula Yoo website. Dom Lee is also the illustrator of the following picture books which I’ve reviewed: Baseball Saved Us, Be Water, My Friend: The Early Years of Bruce Lee, and A Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story.
Genre: Non-fiction Picture book, approx ages 9-12.
Publisher: Lee and Low Books. April 1, 2005
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 158430247X
Source: Review copy
Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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42 Miles by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Natasha Maw — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:01:59 +0000

42 Miles by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer is aptly named, for it is just 42 miles between the two different life’s that JoEllen lives. 42 miles between the doorstep of her Mother’s downtown city apartment and her father’s farm. When she’s in the city she goes by Ellen and loves to hang out with her friends. On the weekends, she’s Joey who hangs out with her cousin and rides horses. JoEllen doesn’t want to be Ellen or Joey anymore. She just wants to be JoEllen. She no longer wants to be split between two different worlds. Why can’t they merge? She wants nothing more than for her thirteenth birthday to have all of her family and friends together.

42 Miles is a free-verse novel. What I love about free-verse novels is that they cut out all the unnecessary and rather get right to the heart of the matter.

In math class today
Mr. Howard showed us how
the line of symmetry
can divide a shape
precisely in half:
a hexagon
a butterfly
a sunflower’s face,
the same on each side.

The formula for my life:
school days in the city with Mom
weekends on the farm with Dad
holidays, birthdays, summer vacation –
all negotiated.

They try to split me
like an apple’s pale heart
on either side of the blade,
pretending
my life is like
Mr. Howard’s hexagon,
equal parts
no matter
how many times they cut it.

Well worth the few minutes that it took to read. In it’s short 73 pages, JoEllen came alive and I wanted to see her happy, no longer two separate halves but rather a whole. Would make for a great read for tweens who may be adjusting to changes in their family through separation or divorce.

Links of interest: Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction, Free Verse. Approx ages 9-12.
Publisher: Clarion Books. March 18, 2008
Hardcover, 80 pages. ISBN 0618618678
Source copy: Library
42 Miles is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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