Book Review: "The Writing Circle" by Corinne Demas

We Write, We Read, We All Have a Story

Many bloggers turn into published authors and so we all can relate to the idea of joining a writing group where we could bounce our ideas off one another. "The Writing Circle " by Corinne Demas explores the somewhat complicated relationships between different types of writers involved in a writing group.
Each writer has their own, unique story - in what they are writing but also in their personal life. Written from these different perspectives, we get the 'whole' story while we witness the characters' struggle with each other, and with their families.

We learn one of the members is even more conniving than we had suspected...and has a secret. It was hard to put the book down as I was waiting for the rest of the writing group to 'catch' the thief amongst them who has stolen another member's story.

We Own our Ideas

"The Writing Circle " touches a nerve with anyone who writes - especially bloggers. Every one of us knows someone who has had something (a blog post, a photo, a business idea) stolen from them. Sometimes the post or content is re-purposed, but often times not, and then it's posted on another website. Our stories are pieces of us...memories, wishes, dreams, fears, and they often tell stories of our family. To have our original stories stolen and presented as someone else's idea is nothing but infuriating. However, with millions of blogs out there, is it possible something thought was our idea may have been sparked by something else we've read?

This is the issue that comes to a front in "The Writing Circle ".

Good read, interesting story, and relevant to anyone who enjoys reading or writing.

Janine

Disclosure: I received a review copy of "The Writing Circle" for the purpose of a review. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Some links are affiliate links.

Coco Le Cochon - Teaches kids the value of hard work...and fancy mushrooms (Truffles)

I took French throughout high school and while I can't remember much beyond "A croissant with ham and cheese please" (un croissant avec jabon et frommage s'il vous plait), I can speak with an accent that would put Juliette Binoche on alert.

C'est Francais!

And so the first thing I noticed about this new children's book, Coco Le Cochon, is the title. Oui! Francais!

Not only does it make it feel like a fancy children's book...it soooo much fun to say (with the right accent s'il vous plait).

Luckily for us all, the book is NOT written in French. At least the copy I was given is not.

Lesson One: Don't take your pedigree for granted

The book starts out with a little history - Coco comes from a long line of successful truffle hunters and so he feels no need to actually LEARN how to hunt for truffles. He is lazy in school, at home, and often mean to his friends.

Lesson Two: Don't steal, especially from someone smaller than you

During the big truffle hunt Coco realizes he has no clue where to find truffles. Everyone around his is finding them. When he accidentally runs into a much smaller pig and knocks over his basket, he takes one of the truffles and claims he found it himself. The people of the town know he's lying because Coco said he found it under a Pine tree (and everyone knows truffles don't grow under pine trees).

Lesson Three: Promptly admit when you are wrong or things can get worse

The Mayor banishes Coco (ok, a little harsh for a kid book but it's not like we parents haven't had that thought once or twice) who is sent to live with his uncle and consider what he did.  Luckily he comes back better, remorseful, and smarter, because the little pig has gone through a tremendous growth spurt and could eat Coco in one bite.

How Many Thumbs?

PROS: Very cute and colorful photos that the Twofer explored in detail. Story covers valuable life lessons.

CONS: I'm not sure my kids understood the value of a truffle hunter as opposed to something more mainstream like a fisherman...but we'll see if any questions arise tomorrow after they've slept on it.

Bottom line, Coco Le Cochon got my kids thinking about the lessons and asking questions. So I'm giving it a Twofer Thumbs Up for a cute story that helps parents talk to their kids about morals and ethics.

To learn more and purchase Coco Le Cochon ($10.95 for a limited time) visit the website http://cocolecochon.com.

Janine

Product Supplies By

Coco Le Cochon