Creating Room to Read
The inspirational story of a former Microsoft executive's quest to build libraries around the world and share the love of books. What's happened since John Wood left Microsoft to change the world? Just ask six million kids in the poorest regions of Asia and Africa. In 1999, at the age of thirty-five, Wood quit a lucrative career to found the nonprofit Room to Read. Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as "the Andrew Carnegie of the developing world," he strived to bring the lessons of the corporate world to the nonprofit sector-and succeeded spectacularly. Read full article
What My Mother Whispered In My Ear
This is a conversation my mother and I had last week. What started as a conversation about the current economic climate in Greece, soon turned into reflection for my mother who was born in rural Greece in 1935. As a small child she would walk to primary school with her older brother. Read full article
Two Fourteen Year Old Girls - One is Married
I travelled to India in 2010 with other volunteers working with global not-for-profit, Room to Read, in order to find out more about their programs on the ground. Room to Read helps students in Asia and Africa learn to read and write, and helps girls finish school. I don’t think I was prepared for the impact of meeting a young girl from a small village in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Read full article
Four Year Old Boy Delightfully Upstages Bill Cosby
This four year old young man claims he will be a paleontologist and a rock star when he grows up - with lines like "That would be really, really, painful for the President" and "That venom could jump 40 feet above the ground" and so much more, you will want to watch all of this utterly delightful and hilarious video. Bill Cosby wisely keeps quiet through most of it! Read full article
Every Australian School Should Play This in Class - Bullying
Words not required to describe this extremely moving video. We dare you to watch it without being moved to tears, or at least rivetted to the spot. Australian singer Bec Cole's son made this video. " I thank him for letting me share this, his bravery will help others. So proud of my son.." Read full article
We Are All Born Free
The most gorgeous hard back picture book for children about human rights.This beautiful commemorative edition of We Are All Born Free celebrates each declaration with an illustration by an internationally renowned artist or illustrator.A testament to freedom and the human spirit, it is a thoughtful gift for children and adults alike. Read full article
Even Polar Bear Mums Have to Drag Their Kids Out of the Water
A mother polar bear helps her baby out of the water and on to the ice and snow. Gorgeous video. Shared with us by happychild blogger Carol Duncan who is recently back from the Australian snowfields. No polar bears there. Read full article
Therese Rein's Inspiring Letter to her Granddaughter Josephine
On 22 June 2012 Therese Rein presented at the Young Minds conference and shared some personal stories of resilience - I sat and listened with the entranced audience. Towards the end of the presentation, Ms Rein spoke of her wishes for Josephine, her recently born granddaughter. I was so moved by this that I rushed out like a groupie and asked Ms Rein if she would share these words with me to publish on happychild; graciously she said yes, and consented to a photo with me. The photo is just to prove how keen I was! So here are the words for you also. Let me know if you love them as much as I do? "Letter to Josephine" Read full article
Don't Chase Your Happiness - Let it Land on You
It was a little difficult for me to compose a blogpost mainly about happiness because I don’t believe in chasing it. This might seem ironic coming from the publisher of a website called happychild. But happiness is just one of many rich feelings that give me, and I think most people, a feeling of humanity and a sense of living a full and meaningful life. When happiness is absent in our daily lives or is fleeting, that’s a sign that something is more seriously wrong – and it’s the time to get support from experts, not the time to chase happiness. Because if you run after happiness you may never catch it. Read full article
My Boy Henry Hotdog and an Irrational, Perfect Love
Yesterday when I picked up the little travelers from school, Henry Hotdog's kindergarten teacher had something to tell me. "You have to tell your Mummy about the poem you wrote today Henry - can you tell her?" The hotdog considered the proposal for a moment and then proceeded to pull my head down towards his. In my ear he whispered ... Read full article
