Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

A few years ago, I purchased the book, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, which was published in 1845. But as life would have it, I got a chance to finally read it this month. The first thing I loved about this book was something peculiar on the cover. In place of where the author’s name is normally printed, it stated, “Written by Himself”. In my lifetime, I have never seen that on a book cover before. So I smiled and thought of the brilliance of this move. Personally, I found it to be bold, daring, and audacious in a time where self-awareness from a person looking and sounding like Frederick Douglass was unpopular in the United States. After viewing the cover and absorbing it for a while, I knew with certainty that there were moments in his life that encapsulated these words and more to form a powerful existence in his being.


In this narrative, there were several elements that I found intriguing such as Mr. Douglass’ questioning the basis of slavery and stating “what man can make…man can unmake”, how he learned at an early age that being literate--reading and writing-- would grant him the opportunity to live a life that he wanted to lead, understanding the mental anguish and impairments of being enslaved (because the physical abuse was so apparent), and the worth of Mr. Douglass writing his own pass to places that he and others could eventually benefit from.

There is a saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” The narrative in this book which again was published in 1845 has some similarities to our platforms today in 2013 which I found compelling:

· Understanding the Existence of Varying Systems and Navigating Through Them

· The Importance of Learning and the Pursuit of Education

· Coping and Living with Mental Illness (considered Mental Slavery in the book)

· Forging Ahead and Seeking Opportunities for Our Families

· Working Together to Serve and Benefit Others

In reading this book and excerpts from it again and again, I have been enlightened to see the evidence of this truth. The philosopher, George Santayana stated, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” I agree, and I highly recommend reading of this book for ages 15 and above. Knowing this land’s history is powerful and can be magnified every day if we are open to embracing it.



Helen H. Kimbrough
Proud mom of a voracious reader and an interested reader
AK Classics
PO Box 77203
Charlotte, NC 28271
www.akclassicstories.com

Study: Music & Preschoolers Reading Readiness

Please click the link (http://shar.es/YYZb5) to read this reference article on the impact of music and reading readiness for preschoolers. I was drawn to this article because my multicultural children's books, Ocean Waves and Other Tales & Play Dates and Other Tales, encompass this concept.

Overall, I hope that you will find this pertinent information beneficial. Have an awesome day!

A Success Story: From Limited Speaking to Singing

As an author, I was invited to participate in a literary festival in Wadesboro, North Carolina over the weekend. While there, I literally cried when a preschool teacher from Morven Elementary School relayed to me that she had a student who had difficulty speaking. After months of teaching this little girl along with reading and playing my musical story, Ocean Waves, this student, Ashley, sang the story from beginning to end.

I'm so moved by this success story, and I'm honored to do what I do. It's rare when I get to experience the physical impact of how my books/stories transform a child's life. I will definitely treasure this moment for a long time.

Hurray for Ashley on her accomplishment! I am completely overjoyed and proud.

What is a Good Read?

What is a good read? Is it a page turner? Is it having memorable characters, descriptions, and emotions? For me, a good read is lasting... It's longing. It's impressionable. It's thought provoking. It's quality writing. It's captivating. And it has left a mark.

In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

To Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I will always pay homage to you. For when you were taking your last breath, I was in the process of breathing my first.

Your spirit transcends time and is overpowering still... But it is a spirit that we will treasure as a nation forever and to the depths until

While hearing your mighty and precious words resound, "Free at Last! Free at Last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Thank you, Dr. King, for your wisdom, vision, and sacrifices that carry us forward from the past.


Helen H. Kimbrough
AK Classics
PO Box 77203
Charlotte, NC 28271
www.akclassictories.com

Happy New Year Tip

Congratulations! Welcome to 2013!!! Have you formalized your plans, goals, or objectives for the New Year? If you are still thinking things through, then I hope that you will consider adding a “special” word (or theme) for the year. Embrace a word that you feel should resonate with you. Examples can be Focus, Family, Finances, Fitness, Spirituality, Commitment, Loyalty, Balance, Generosity, Organization, etc. Then, strategically post or place this word in your home, office, or computer devices, or better yet, share your word with family and friends as a reminder to keep you on task.


For sure, everyone in your family can participate in this long-year process. Plus, I’m sure that your kids will get a kick out of holding you accountable. So make it challenging and fun at the same time. Use Facebook/Twitter, create a game, or find a song to electrify your word (or theme) for the year! Message me and let me know how you plan to incorporate this tip for 2013.

Here's wishing you a Happy New Year! Make it Happen!!!

My "Reluctant Turned Interested" Reader

Any time that I am on a reading high, I have to share it with you. I am delighted to say that my reluctant reader is turning into an interested reader. Over the year, my son and I have sat together and read books aloud to each other. Personally, I have not always wanted to read aloud because I have a true passion for reading. However, my son seemed to welcome this interaction more rather than less.

Because of this change in reading behavior, the shift in him has been apparent (even if he won’t willingly admit it to me or the rest of the family). Collectively, we see it and embrace it. In addition, he and I have elevated our reading material to middle school books. He didn’t know it at the time. I mentioned it as an afterthought, and he was indeed floored and proud. He had no idea that we were pushing towards that direction.

Now my “reluctant turned interested” reader is connecting with key characters within our book selections. In The Underdogs by Mike Lupica, he felt Will Tyler’s pain as the organizer and running back of this football team when he landed on the one yard line for an unsuccessful touchdown and hurtful game loss. In the Ninth Ward by Jewel Parker Rhodes, he was drawn to the foresight and wisdom of Mama YaYa about Hurricane Katrina and the flood. Plus, he reeled in disbelief when Mama YaYa died. In Ungifted by Gordon Korman, he truly laughed and giggled foolishly over Donovan Curtis’ antics, wit, and impulsiveness. In another book by Gordon Korman, Schooled, he was fascinated by how Cap Anderson’s life operated without TV, electronics, pizza, and friends on his commune farm to a completely different life in the city with all of the above and then some.

So as you can see, I am excited about my son’s transformation and my own. This child has truly taught me a lesson in trying different tactics to engage him in the reading process. At this moment, it’s been valuable and worthwhile, and I realize how tweaking our reading plan worked.


Helen H. Kimbrough
Proud mom of a voracious reader and a "reluctant turned interested" reader

AK Classics
PO Box 77203
Charlotte, NC 28271
www.akclassicstories.com