8/6/2019 ReneWatson

1/1140 ResidentNovember 2010

Words are powerful, said childrens book author Ren e

Watson. They can bring healing, give hope and put a smile onsomeones face.

Watsons first picture book, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen(Random House, 2010), aimed at children ages 710, was featuredon NBC News with Brian Williams. Watsons inspiration for thestory came from the children she met when she went to help in NewOrleans one year after Hurricane Katrina. After returning to NewYork,the author said, I couldnt shake the stories children sharedwith me and wanted to honor their experiences and celebrate theiramazing resiliency.The illustrations are expressive mixed mediaby Shadra Strickland, who also went to help survivors in NewOrleans. Caroline Kennedy said, This book explores the impactof a national tragedy in the most personal terms, and is engagingand whimsical at the same timea n impressive achievement.Shealso said, It is a profound tribute to the power of friendship to heal

and give us hope in troubled times. Watsons new novel for children ages 101 6 is What MommaLeft Me (Bloomsbury USA, 2010). Its about a child who must starther life over after losing both parents. She moves to a new townto live with her strict grandparents, enters eighth grade in a newschool and must make new friendsa ll while keeping an eye onher younger brother. The novels message is universal, bad thingscan happen to anyone. But the dark topic is eclipsed by an inspiringmessage of hope. Its a portrayal of children learning to acceptchange, overcome loss and experience joy again.

Watson has spent years teaching in elementary, middle andhigh schools using art, creative writing, poetry, and theater. Thefoundation of all my writing is to juxtapose the bitter with thesweet,she said. Instead of writing for readers to escape reality,I write books that help them cope with it, celebrate it, question it,

and make peace with it. Watson and Stricklands NYC book reading and signing isThursday, November 4, 5:307:30 p.m. at Bank Street Bookstore,2879 Broadway and 112th Street (bankstreetbooks.com).

Dorri Olds (DorriOlds.com) is a writer, social media consultant, webdesigner and Internet marketer. Her writing has appeared in magazines,newspapers and book anthologies.

This holiday season let us give thanks to our troops who hav

fought and continue to fight for us. Wolfmont Press is giving uMurder to Mil-Spec, a crime fiction anthology to benefit Homfor Our Troops charity that is making it possible for injured veteranto live normal lives upon their return. In this intelligent collectioin which Mil-Spec stands for military specifications, short storifrom experienced novelists who have contributed their work for npayment take you to faraway war torn areas and our own backyardwith tales of the triumphs, traumas and tearful reunions.

Go on a journey through the freezing Korean swamps witPurple Heart Sgt. Clooney as he begrudgingly follows misleadinorders from a drunkard Lt. Layton, and sympathize as he returns tfind his wife and money stolen by the very Lieutenant who causehis friendsdeaths and put his life in danger, in Tripwire, written ba Korean war veteran Big Jim Williams. In Choices by ElizabetZelvin, get inside the head of a Vietnam hero who spends yea

after his service haunted by horrific images from the war, and livinon the streets making ends meet. Rejoice with him as he finds chance of a better life. Be intrigued by Afghan customs in The Gof Life by Lina Zeldovich as she lures you into a love story set againthe backdrop of the Hanshin castle, and a minefield in Afghanistaand ends in Astoria, dubbed as the United Nations of New YorCity. In Diana Catts Salomes Gift, a puzzle hidden in an Arab

jewelry box sent to a sister from her soldier brother in Iraq holda key to the mystery surrounding his kidnapping. In a letter beforhe goes missing he writes, Heard tell of a rumor that we could gsent home on leave soon. Like next month!

The past few years of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan havshown a rise in veterans with crippling disabilities most oftecaused by roadside and other improvised bombs. Those returninwill be in need of homes that are wheelchair friendly, and showe

and kitchens catering to their specific conditions. Similar to thprotagonists in the anthology, these solderslives are changeforever. In a show of empathy for those who have sacrificed mucfor our country, Wolfmont, by donating proceeds to Homes foTroops, is making their lives better.

The book retails $12.00 and is available from the authorbookstores, online and in e-book versions. www.wolfmont.commil-spec/mtms.html.

The Gift of a Better Life through

Murder to Mil-SpecWords Give Hope

By Dorri Olds By Lavanya Sunkara

GUIDElines| LITERATURE

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