A Review of Lisa Genova's "Still Alice" by Author Eileen Wacker

Still Alice is one of the most potent and engaging books I’ve read in a long time. I devoured in one day, crying my way through the novel. I thought the writer was smart in setting up the story. It wasn’t beautiful life described and then goes bad. From the first scene, she forgets a word in a lecture and how to get home from a run. The reader is instantly drawn in. The characters around Alice, namely John, Anna, Tom, and Lydia, were developing precisely right. We knew just enough about them to make the story move. The reinforced and provided a mirror so we could see the sides of Alice more clearly.

Alice is an extremely accomplished woman by anyone’s standards. One of the most esteemed Psychology professors at Harvard. But it was interesting to see, even before the Alzheimer diagnosis, she had weathered challenges and shifted priorities a few times. She speaks of how her priorities shifted more than John’s after children. She changes them again when she discovers she is sick. She wants to sabbatical with John and she wants to be with her family. John is a very consistent figure. He works a lot. He has always worked a lot. He doesn’t work to hurt her but his passion for his work has always been his priority. Although Alice understands this intellectually, this still hurts her feelings. But he is extremely supportive at the same time. Liked the realism inherent in his character.

I loved the middle of the book as we see her disease and suffering through her lucid and non-lucid self. I had to put the book down when she wished she had cancer instead. It was very powerful. And telling her children. And the history with her own father. Her contemplated suicide. Her letter to herself. All compelling.

Finally, Still Alice was a smart read for me. I learned something. There was the right amount of technical language. The reader can absorb it but it doesn’t take over the story. The painful journey is story. I highly recommend the book and will definitely see the movie.

-Eileen Wacker

Still Alice is now a major motion picture starring Julianne Moore and has been the recipient of several awards including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, a Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress, and an Screen Actor's Guild Award. It is currently pending nominations for an Academy Award, among several other nominations.  

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

Emma Watson Changes the Game With Her Powerful Speech on Feminism to the U.N.

Last weekend at the U.N. headquarters in New York City, Emma Watson delivered an incredibly passionate speech regarding the controversial topics of feminism and gender roles in our society. But with her recent launch of the “HeForShe” campaign, Ms. Watson doesn’t intend to just talk about feminism but actually begin to take action. 

Her speech attempts to dissolve some of the stereotypes that are often associated with feminism, such as the idea that it is a man hating group that calls for female superiority. She reminds us that the true definition of feminism is the desire, not for superiority, but equality among both genders. She invites the male gender to stand up and join the fight for equality, not just for the sake of women but for the sake of all people. With her development of the “HeForShe” campaign, Ms. Watson hopes to abolish the “us versus them” mentality and bring us all together to fight for a common cause. 

It is a long speech, but I promise you it is worth the time. Her words rendered me speechless and filled me with the hope and confidence that change is coming and that we can all work together to make that change happen.

Click below to watch the incredible, powerful speech that brought a room full of world leaders to their feet:

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

Colbie Caillat Encourages Women to Feel Comfortable in their own Skin in her Powerful Music Video "Try"

Colbie Caillat has always felt more comfortable in makeup-less skin, and in her new song she shares how she wants all women to be able to feel that way. The inspiring song, titled “Try”, accompanied by a powerful music video highlights how unfair beauty ideals can be and showing women happy and secure in their natural, makeup-free selves. 

Caillat talks about how she got the idea for the music video from personal experiences. She says she knows how trying to hide your faults or feeling insecure about blemishes is something that all women go through. That even women who feel more comfortable naturally worry that other people won’t approve. 

But Caillat didn’t want to just talk about how women should feel more comfortable in their own skin, she wanted to back it up too. So when getting ready for the photo shoot for the album cover, Caillat did not her usual preparations. She skipped the manicure, the hair cut, the stylist, and even requested that her album cover remain untouched by photoshop. Then for the music video, she joined several other women in taking off all make up and proudly wearing their natural faces. 

It is an amazing message to send to girls and I admire not just Caillat for her bravery but also each woman who participated in the making of the beautiful and inspiring video. It is fun to get dolled up every once and a while, maybe even every day, but women should be doing it for themselves- not to impress or feel accepted by other people. 

Click below to watch Colbie Caillat’s beautiful new music video, “Try”:

Powerful Always Ad Asks Us What It Means to Do Something 'Like a Girl'

While growing up, or watching your kids grow up, were you ever told or heard someone else being told they do something “like a girl”? Think about what the person who was saying that meant with those words. Was it that they were kicking, running, or hitting impressively and with force? Probably not. Most likely the teacher, coach, parent, or peer meant they were performing below average or in a way that would be considered by that person to be weak. 

But why does doing something ‘like a girl’ have to mean doing something poorly? It implies that acting like a girl or being a girl is something to be ashamed of, to try to change. And is that the message we want to be sending to our young girls as they become young adults? Definitely not. 

I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure not only do I hit like a girl and run like a girl but I also wake up like a girl, brush my teeth like a girl, and go to work like a girl- because I AM a girl. 

We need to be raising our girls to be proud of who they are and what they are capable of. Young girls should recognize all that it means to be a girl. Because being a woman is a beautiful thing. 

When most people are asked who the strongest person they know is, a lot of the time their answer is their mother. 

A woman. 

A strong, independent, resilient woman. So next time someone tells you that you hit like a girl, thank them because they just complimented you. And encourage them to think about the meaning behind their thoughtless statement because their beautiful, strong mother raised them- like a girl. 

This issue is finally brought to the world’s attention in an inspiring and powerful ad by Always. 

Click below to watch:

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

Man or Woman, Everyone Needs to Read These #YesAllWomen Tweets

Anyone who is a part of the social media world has probably at least heard of the #YesAllWomen tweets. The tweets are trending all over the internet, so they’ve most likely popped up on your Facebook newsfeed or been posted about by your friends. But on the off chance you haven’t yet heard of these tweets or have but haven’t read any of them- I definitely encourage you to do so. 

Sparked by the brutal killings of 6 women and injuries to 13 by Elliot Roger, fueled by his sexual hatred and misogyny, the #YesAllWomen hashtag has gone viral. It’s purpose has been to report or support issues of sexual hatred, fear, harassment, and sexual assault. 

The tweets evoke a whole host of emotions- anger, inspiration, motivation, sadness, determination, support, and more. They are shocking, moving, and most of all eye opening. The subject and sheer number of responses has caused worldwide attention, provoking both support as well as controversy. Whether you are a male or a female, these tweets will undoubtedly speak to you and benefit you. And if you are a parent of either sons or daughters, these tweets can be really important when moving forward teaching your children about respect and equality. 

Here is a list of some if the many tweets I found to be most powerful:

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To read more about the #YesAllWomen movement, visit their FaceBook page

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

A Valentine's Day Collection of the Most Heart Warming True Love Stories You'll Ever Hear (Part One)

Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, it seems appropriate to celebrate the powerful stories of love and successful marriages that flood our social networks. That is what Valentine’s Day is all about right? So for anyone who has ever said “that stuff only happens in movies”- well these amazing couples would have to disagree!

The first is of Martyn Compton and Michelle Clifford. In 2006 Lance-Corporal Martyn met Michelle, who was a teacher. Their attraction was instant and it did not take them long after meeting to begin dating. Unfortunately, that next summer Martyn was sent to Afghanistan with his military unit. As difficult as it was, Michelle stayed faithful to him while he was gone. 

Only two months after his deployment, Martyn was caught in a surprise attack during a trip through what was thought to be an abandoned village. After a grenade was thrown at their car, he jumped from the vehicle and managed to put out the flames by rolling in the sand. Despite this miraculous escape, Martyn was not left without life-threatening wounds. He had been shot and severely burned, losing his ears, nose and hair. Survival did not look good and he fell into a coma. He remained unconscious for 3 months, and during all this time Michelle did not leave his side.

Even when doctors told her it was not likely he would wake up, or if he did he would never walk again. But she did not lose hope, singing to him, playing his favorite songs, and telling him stories nearly ever single day. Not only did he wake up, but a year later, after Michelle had stood by him through his extremely challenging recovery, he was able to walk again. They were then married and she became pregnant with twins soon after. Overjoyed, it seemed their luck was taking a turn for the better. Tragedy struck again when the twins were born prematurely and neither survived. Through support and unconditional love, the couple was able to survive yet another tragedy and went on to give birth to another child, a healthy baby boy. 

The second inspiring love story also survived through wartime. Joey Guerrero and Delora Denise Leon were both stationed in Iraq when they fell for one another. At first, Delora was not interested, but Joey stayed persistent, claiming he knew someday she would change her mind. What began as a beautiful friendship turned into so much more over the course of the months they spent overseas. But  asked her to marry him. They are now happily married with two children. 

during a sandstorm when Joey was helping her with her bags, they caught indirect fire and Joey protected her. It was during this moment Delora said she knew that she couldn’t let him go. No long later, Joey dropped to his knees in the sand, held out a ring he had specially ordered, and

For more heart warming and inspiring true love stories, keep a look out for our next set of stories in our part two!