The 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey

About the story:

When I first saw this book, I think to myself "is this another of those fairy-tale story books for kids?" I was proven wrong. It is much more than just a simple children book.

The story is set in a beautifully illustrated place known as 7 Oak. And the story evolves around the 7 friends living in 7 Oak - Goob Bear, Jumper Rabbit, Lily Skunk, Sammy Squirrel, Sophie Squirrel, Pokey Porcupine and Tagalong Allie the Mouse. Through these characters, the story unfolds into seven short stories, each illustrating one of the 7 habits. At the end of each chapter, there is a discussion page that provides tips and activities for parents to engage their children in practising the 7 habits.

The story is more than just a kid's storybook. I am sure that adults or any other people will benefit from the story because the 7 habits are fundamental habits for everyone and across any age group. To put it bluntly, some of us adults may not even live up to the 7 habits! Personally, I find myself in need of these 7 habits as well, which I would summarize as:

1. Be proactive - Take charge of your own life
2. Be organized - Plan for what you want to achieve
3. Don't procrastinate - Get down to doing what you need to do NOW!
4. Think win-win
5. Be a good listener
6. Work as a team
7. Balance all aspects of your life - Mind, Heart, Body and Soul

Besides the good habits to cultivate, I simply fall in love with this book because of its beautiful illustrations. These colourful illustrations on every single page. They just make you fall in love with 7 Oak and I wish I were a character living in 7 Oak too! :)

About the book:

The book is paperback, with a slightly waxed cover. It has beautiful and colourful illustrations that are certain to mesmerize any kid and even adult. I bought it at S$22.42 from Popular Bookstore (Singapore). It may seem a bit expensive for a book that is only 93 pages. But if you think about the colour prints and the quality paper used, it is a worthy investment. I highly recommend this book for children, parents, and non-parents as well. Happy reading and may the world be as beautiful as 7 Oak!

One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell

About the story:

It is a story about life in New York City, and on one of its most high-end, uptown street - Fifth Avenue. And in the most expensive and sophisticated building with the house number 1. The story revolves around a group of uppermost-class people, including movie actress, publisher, script writer, hedge-fund manager, lawyer, and people who are trying their best to be associated somehow with this building or the people living in it. The story beautifully unfolds the daily events of the lives of those who live in One Fifth or are related to One Fifth in one way or another. The beauty of the story lies in the way the fine minute details are being captured in a vivid way, giving the reader the feeling of being absorbed into the story, as if I am right there at One Fifth. You get to see the entanglement in relationships, the hidden motives, the sexual politics, the spiritual loneliness (behind all the glamourous lives they have), the friendships and many more. I simply love this story for a leisure as well as entertaining read. I feel like I am a hidden camera somewhere in One Fifth, seeing and hearing all the gossips (ugly or beautiful).

My favourite section of the story is when Enid ticked off Lola when she posted those sex stories about Philip. Hats off to Enid for being able to manage that pestering Lola! Credits to Lola for her sexuality that sizzles up the story. I love those sections too.

About the book:

The copy I have is paperback, 433 pages, S$29.91 from Popular Bookstore (Singapore). A value-for-money read, especially for the story that you are going to get, it is worthwhile. Highly recommended if you have not read it.