Danny The Dragon Meets Jimmy By Tina Turbin

A Review By Andrea R. Garrison – Online With Andrea

Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy by Tina Turbin is a delightful story about a little boy by the name of Jimmy who finds a beautiful green and white shell. This is no ordinary shell. In fact it becomes quite extraordinary when Jimmy hears a voice that gives him a warm hello. The friendly voice in the shell is Danny the Dragon who eventually pops out along with his navigator, Skipper to have a very special visit with Jimmy and his family which includes sharing a meal, helping with clearing the table and doing the dishes and then having a wonderful time at play.

When I read this story it took me back to my childhood and the joy that I received in collecting shells and listening to what I thought was the sound of the sea. I always felt that an entire unknown world lived within the sea shells because of the sound that seemed to emanate from them. The imagination and the creativity of children is such a wonderful thing especially when it seems to come to life and to light in such a positive way. Danny The Dragon is friendly, cheerful, helpful and very polite. Danny The Dragon is a welcome visitor for any child and from the way it seems he will return with another adventure. Danny The Dragon is also available as a CD and DVD. The CD features an audio version of the book and ten wonderful original classical compositions by Ali Heinwein, Lisa Miller, Jason Turbin and Janis Welch. You can see why this wonderful story is a Best Books Award Finalist. Tina Turbin did a great job creating Danny an imaginary character that will add smiles to children and adults for many years to come. For more information on Tina Turbin please visit www.dannythedragon.com and listen to the Online With Andrea interview with Tina. This interview also features valuable information on being Gluten Free.

Dancing With Angels A Transplant Odyssey

A Review By Andrea R. Garrison – Online With Andrea

Dancing With Angels A Transplant Odyssey by Elizabeth A. Pratt offers a very compelling testimony on the importance of organ donation. This book was truly an eye opener for me because I had not given this subject matter much thought because like so many others I did not realize how much it is needed. The fact is that organ donation does save lives. While it is difficult to experience the passing of a loved one it is a beautiful and very comforting thought to know that their heart still beats creating a pulse for the life of another. Elizabeth Pratt lived her life as an active, health conscious athletic beautiful dancer. So it was actually very surprising to hear that this vibrant energetic person needed a heart transplant. Elizabeth Pratt is here today because she was able to get a new heart from her donor Patricia. In the book Elizabeth shares her heart warming experiences meeting her donor’s family. Elizabeth not only describes her experiences but she also shares the stories of others who have received transplants. Dancing With Angels is a comprehensive book that will tell you pretty much every thing you need to know about organ donation and transplants. In addition to the book Elizabeth Pratt has teamed up with Bobby Broome and Music Row Records to produce a wonderful Dancing With Angels CD with ten beautiful songs. For more information on Elizabeth Pratt, organ donation and transplants please visit www.dancing-with-angels.org and listen to the Online With Andrea interview with Elizabeth.

To Be And How To Be - Transforming Your Life Through Sacred Theatre By Peggy Rubin

A Review by Andrea R.Garrison – Online With Andrea

To Be And How To Be – Transforming Your Life Through Sacred Theatre By Peggy Rubin is an amazing heart work published by Quest Books. In the forward Jean Houston say’s that, “You are about to enter a masterpiece so important, so radically original, so critically helpful that, frankly at first I felt speechless to comment on it. In this book you will become a passionate player on the stage of your own life’s journey. You will find new heart, new mind, new voice and new expression. Most importantly, you will be drawn into the genius and magic of Peggy Rubin.”

I totally agree with Jean Houston. I felt speechless and dazzled by the brilliance in this work. The concepts are so clear, uncomplicated yet transformative. This is the performance and this book is truly the work of a lifetime. According to Peggy we are all here to enact with our lives a sacred play. Each of us has the ability to go beyond the role of understudy waiting to play the role of this life time. We learn to step up and to take command of this starring role at the center stage of life. Peggy explains the Nine Powers which includes The Power of Incarnation, The Power of Story, The Power Of Now, The Power of Place, The Power of Expression, The Power of Point of View, The Power of Conflict, The Power of Audience, and The Power of Celebration, As the story unfolds and you masterfully connect to these nine powers you are able to come from back stage to the center stage of creation while manifesting, being and living your life with a greater understanding, purpose and power.

Peggy say’s, “if enough of us say thank you, faster and faster and live our lives as dedicated sacred players, then perhaps, it will be our privilege to hold back the dark a while, and even to create and sustain a world that honors everyone.”

I thoroughly enjoyed reading every single page of this sacred book and I look forward to revisiting it again and again. I am grateful to Peggy Rubin for living her life at center stage and taking the time to write this amazing book that is a great resource for me. Indeed the whole world is a stage and every single person collectively plays an integral part which is vital to the entire universe. I am sure that Peggy’s book will transcend time and will be a treasured resource for many in the future as well. To learn more about Peggy Rubin and her work in Sacred Theatre visit www.sacredtheatre.org and listen to the Online With Andrea interview with Peggy Rubin.

Dual With Rhonda And Peco

A Review By Andrea R. Garrison - Online With Andrea

When I first heard Rhonda LaRoy and Peco I immediately loved their music. Every single tune just flowed harmoniously from one to the next. They seemed to have a natural flow and a natural spark that is quite rare and special. Every tune is different. There is nothing routine about their music. When you listen to them you will know that they were meant to be together writing, performing and producing. When I listen to them I can visualize them in a major stage production with Rhonda and her sassy beautiful vocals with Peco by her side strumming cords creating magnificent sounds that only a true connection such as theirs can create. On the CD cover it say’s Decide You Are Love. If you want to experience these heart inspired and heart driven sounds listen to this dynamic team on Dual. For more information on Rhonda and Peco visit www.truenica.com and www.myspace.com/rhondalaroy. Also listen to the Online With Andrea interview with Rhonda and Peco.

Wisdom Man Banjo Clarke as told to Camilla Chance

A Review By Andrea R. Garrison – Online With Andrea

I have always wanted to learn more about the Aboriginal people of Australia and what better source then to read the story of the Wisdom Man Banjo Clarke - The compassionate life and beliefs of a remarkable Aboriginal Elder as told to Camilla Chance. Banjo Clarke met Camilla over 25 years ago despite the fact that it would seem unlikely that their paths would cross. She is from the family of exclusive English Aristocracy and Banjo was a humble Elder of the Aboriginal people. There are no accidents it seems because these two were destined to meet and they developed a friendship that lasted for over 25 years. I loved this book because it truly gave me a sense of Aboriginal life and culture because Banjo spoke honestly and directly from the heart. So I say if you are interested in learning and understanding the Aboriginals then read the words of Banjo Clarke. Now one might ask why an Aboriginal Elder would tell his story to Camilla. It is better to hear the response directly from Banjo Clarke who answers the question in his own words.

After Banjo was discharged from the hospital Camilla and her family took him in to care for him and he was quite touched by the experience.

Banjo said, “And she and her family looked after me. I thought. There must be a lot of good white people around, and we hardly met them before! Where did they come from? Grown-ups and children with open hearts.

Camilla’s little ones loved me being with them. Young David was just starting to walk, and he’d keep walking out of the door wanting me to follow him. He’d lead me straight to the woodpile, where I made a stool for him. I also made a tree house for him and Ruth. He liked doing things and helping me.

A lot of my friends came to see me while I was at Camilla’s, Aboriginals who had lived a heartbreaking life trying to cope in the white man’s world. Camilla invited them in and showed them her trust. She left the house open for them if she had to go out for the day.

All these events inspired me to want to write a book. I reckoned that the way the high-society people shared with me would tell something to the world about equality, and having love for people from different races. I reckon if people knew about true Aboriginal qualities – so similar to the Baha’i beliefs – then this would help the world do things from the heart. I think for people to learn about Aboriginality might even be the saving of the world.

I asked Camilla to help me write my book and she agreed. Twenty-five years later, we have been still working out every thing I want to say.”

Banjo Clarke said it best in this quote which appears on the back cover of the book, “Life should be looked upon as a sacred thing, to be handled carefully. If something terrible happens, you stop for a while and have a think, and then you work around the next big problem coming up. Like water around a rock. And you still help people when you can, even your worst enemy.”

As I indicated previously the beauty of this book is that when you read about Banjo Clarke you will be reading his words, his thoughts and connecting to his heart. You will have a greater understanding of the Aboriginal way which is to embrace all life.

To learn more about Camilla Chance and Wisdom Man Banjo Clarke visit www.wisdommanbook.com and listen to the Online With Andrea interview with Author Camilla Chance.

Everything's Okay By Alesia Shute

By Andrea R. Garrison – Online With Andrea

Everything’s Okay By Alesia Shute is an amazing true story of determination and survival. At the age of 7 Alesia was diagnosed with cancer. She survived six major surgeries that had never been tested on a child. As a child she endured countless hours of pain and months of hospitalization. Alesia grew up quickly and adjusted to being sickly as a way of life. As you read her incredible story you will experience her journey with growing up, struggling in school, boys, dating and marriage. Today everything is truly okay for Alesia Shute. She is a healthy happy wife, mother, grandmother, business owner, philanthropist, and much more. She is an inspiration for all of us. I am glad that she is here today to share her story that is a very helpful guide for anyone dealing with cancer. All of the profits from this book go to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. For more information on Alesia Shute visit www.everythingsokaybook.com and listen to the Online With Andrea interview with Alesia.