Papa's Pearls {Schoolhouse Review}

It is always a pleasure to do a book review because I love books! Through the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I had the opportunity to review the book Papa's Pearls: A Father's Gift of Love and Wisdom to His Children and Grandchildren by Diane Flynn Keith. What a treat!

Diane Flynn Keith wrote Papa's Pearls in tribute to her father, Carol Joseph Flynn, and to share the multitude of pearls of wisdom he passed on to his children and grandchildren. Some of those pearls were: "What's the worst thing that could happen?", "You don't kick someone when they're down, you give 'em a hand up.", "You gotta roll with the punches.", and "If you want to be successful, spend your time with successful people." But Papa didn't just preach these words to his family, he shared his life stories with them so that they could see how they worked out in real life. Papa didn't always have it easy, and he didn't make all the best choices. But, he learned from his mistakes and the mishaps in his life and used them to show his children and grandchildren a better way to live.

While reading the book, I often thought, "man, I want Dawson to read this." Dawson is 16 years old and in the midst of all of the angst of a boy growing into a man. I think about all of the mistakes I made as a kid because I didn't really know any better and how this book would have been a good thing to read back then. My daughter, Kyndal, is graduating from high school tomorrow and I have thought what a neat graduation gift this book would be. But, most of all, it made me stop and think how preaching to my children does absolutely no good. But, sharing my life's experiences, with honesty and transparency, both the good and, especially, the bad, could have a positive impact on them and their children and many generations to come. It did to the Flynn family.

Although none of my children have actually read this book, I have told Dawson about it and discussed different stories with him. I am planning on slipping it into Kyndal's graduation gift bag hoping that she might pick it up and read it. It's a story that should be shared!

Diane Flynn Keith is an alternative education specialist, parenting coach, and author. You might recognize her name from her best-selling book Carschooling: Over 350 Entertaining Games and Activities to Turn Travel Time into Learning Time. You can find more information about Diane Flynn Keith at www.papaspearls.com.

Papa's Pearls: A Father's Gift of Love and Wisdom to His Children and Grandchildren can be purchased in paperback either directly from the author, and autographed, for $14.97 plus shipping or in paperback or Kindle edition from Amazon.

To read what other Crew Members thought of this book, head over to the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

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