Oliver’s Twist

Media, Culture and the Vietnam War

The Korean war and the Vietnam War were the first two major conflicts that the United States of America participated in after the Second World War. Of the two so-called Indochina wars, it is the latter that is more infamous and controversial. Sure, it has its supporters, but through the lens of history, the popular view seems to see the country’s involvement in the conflict in a negative light. This is evident in the fact that the majority of the country’s civilians protested against the battle. These protests were even influential in the country’s decision to have peace talks with North and South Vietnam as well as its bitter enemy in the conflict, the Viet Cong or the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.

Nevertheless, there is a lot of media surrounding the Vietnam War. From firsthand accounts of authors such as Daniel M. Dewald, Philip Caputo, and Tim O’Brien to block-buster and Award-Winning movies like Michael Cimino’s Dear Hunter and Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, media about the Vietnam War became historically significant in the country. Without a doubt, the Vietnam war has been extensively featured for the consumption of the general public, for better or for worse.

In fact, one of the more famous monikers of the Vietnam war was “the television war,” so coined because of the intensity of the way the media covered the conflict. In those days, television was just gaining ground, and news reports were becoming the premier way to get information. The United States military gave these journalists and media men almost unrestricted access to the conflict partly because of their positive and optimistic sentiments toward the outcome of the war. However, this would come back to bite them as this full-on and unrestricted coverage, as well as the emerging technology surrounding television, made it difficult to censor footage covering the conflict. This meant that the general public of the United States saw this war on foreign soil from the comfort of their living rooms. Soon, the negative coverage of the press during the Tet Offensive become one of the turning points in the public’s support for the war.

Despite the popularity of television, photography and still images also affected the war in Vietnam. Photojournalists did as much work as their news reporting counterparts. Photojournalists such as Philip Jones Griffiths, Hal Buell, Catherine Leroy, and Nick Ut, as well as many others, showed the world the realities and horrors of war just as clearly and arguably with more impact with their weapon of choice, the 35mm camera. Three photographs often come to mind when talking about the conflict: that of “Napalm Girl” photographed by Nick Ut, Eddie Adam’s picture of police chief General Nguyễn Ngọc Loan executing a Vietcong prisoner, and Malcolm Browne’s photograph of Quảng Đức’s self-immolation immortalized in popular media by the band Rage Against the Machines. It is said that these three photographs had the most impact on people’s idea about the war.

Music also filled the radio airwaves during this era. Songs both supporting or pro-war and anti-war or protest songs became the soundtrack that linked both the people left stateside and the service members fighting in the war. Songs such as “Hello Vietnam” by country singer Johnny Wright and “Viet Nam Blues” written by Kris Kristofferson were more patriotic and, at times, jingoistic. Other songs that were supportive of the government’s efforts include The Spokesmen’s pro-Vietnam ballad “Dawn of Correction” and “The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley,” as performed by C Company and Terry Nelson. These were contrasted by the anti-war and pro-peace songs such as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” (which criticized the elites and their “fortunate children” who will never face war) as well as “We’ve Gotta Get Out of this Place” by the Animals. This song became the anthem of US military forces stationed in South Vietnam. Such tunes resonated with the growing anti-war sentiment. Both pro-war and anti-war genres competed in the airwaves, but in the end, it was peace that won, as apparent as some music that is still in the public consciousness today. It only takes one to do a google search of “Vietnam War-era music,” and the results will speak for itself. Other musicians that defined the era include Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Nina Simone, and Joan Baez.

Without a doubt, the media was pivotal in shaping how America saw the Vietnam war. It shaped not only the discourse of the people then but also the overall identity of America. America’s present generation would not be it is now without the extensive news coverage, as well as the inspirational and impactful music, films, and photographs that talk about the conflict. As such, these pieces could serve to teach essential lessons going forward.

A Brief Overview and History of POW

As long as the dawn of civilizations, there will always be a clash of beliefs. Should this clash be big enough, war is sure to follow, and when there is war, there will always be prisoners. As such, for as long as human conflict exists, so do prisoners. In fact, the first usage of the phrase traces back to the 1670s.

Life in the enemy’s captivity can be a hard one. One can never be sure of what treatment awaits them. Nevertheless, one thing is undeniable. The life of a prisoner of war will not be a walk in the park. It might be offensive to call it that. These are people who have gone through hell and survived. These are people who survived death marches, death camps, and even more deadly things. And then there is coming back to everyday life. The lucky few who are released and repatriated back to their countries will be haunted by these horrible experiences. Like the POW’s life on Bernie McAuley book The Shadows Of Sawtooth Ridge, it will not be easy adjusting to the changes back in the free and civilian life. All hope is not lost, however, as there are still former prisoners of war who are able to adjust to their life.

So why are their prisoners of war? Why do belligerents take the time and effort to keep hostages, especially in the modern era where there are proper rules and etiquette for the handling of POWs stated in the Geneva convention? Are prisoners of war really that worth it?

The answer to that question can be tricky, for as the times rolled on and the world changed, so did the machinations of war. In ancient times, for example, when there wasn’t any war ethics and etiquette, the faith of those on the losing side would usually depend on the culture of the victors. The fighters on the losing side and those who have been taken captive would usually expect to either be executed or enslaved. The Romans, for example, took some of their prisoners of war and turned them into gladiators. These gladiators are unique to other prisoners of war as most of them served not as slaves but as entertainment for the common masses. Every day of their existence became a fight for their lives until they could win their freedom.

Sometimes, the winning side would use their prisoners to bolster their forces. There are times in history when an invading force would use these captured forces as cannon fodder, that is, to use these captured forces as a way to exhaust the opponent’s firepower before the “real” forces come. In a way, these prisoners of war become human sacrifices.

Another type of human sacrifice can be noted in the way the Aztecs practiced their warfare. Constantly at war with next-door rival tribes and groups, the Aztec tribe would seek to collect living prisoners. These prisoners would then become human sacrifices to keep consecrating the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan. In 1497 alone, it is estimated that between ten thousand to eighty thousand and four hundred prisoners of war became blood sacrifices for this practice.

Another reason for keeping prisoners of war that is still being practiced to this day is to keep them as bargaining chips. In the olden times, should the captured POW be someone noteworthy, their family or relatives would sometimes plead with the captors for their freedom in exchange for gold or material wealth. This was especially true during the times when the prisoners were considered more as private property rather than property of the state. Still, this is a crapshoot and a gamble as, more often than not, warring factions would rather kill and ransack than negotiate.

In modern times, however, these prisoner exchanges have become more common practice, especially with the introduction of some treaties and etiquettes during wartime. More often than not, these exchanges are political in nature.

These treaties were started during the Brussels Conference of 1874 and continued until they were cemented during The Hague and the multiple Geneva Conventions.

That said, these are just treaties and agreements made by people. It is still up to the different nations how fateful they are in following these laws. It also does not change the fact the truth about war. That it is a wasteful act of uncountable human lives

Evolutionary Economics and Africa

Next to Asia, Africa is the world’s second largest continent. It is also the second-most populous continent. As of 2018, it is home to 16% of the world’s total human population. In 2012, the median age for the whole continent was 19.7. Thus, its population is the youngest among the continents. Africa is home to fifty-four countries, two disputed territories, and five external territories. It is a continent with a long history. One of the cradles of civilization can be found here, in the form of Ancient Egypt as well as the early human society of Carthage. The large and diverse number of ethnicities, cultures, and languages are the result of a long and complex history of many civilizations. Starting in the 16th Century, Africa witnessed an increasing European influence. The Trans-Atlantic slave trade that also began during this time created a large African diaspora population in the Americas. In the 19th Century, Europe almost colonized all of Africa, with Ethiopia and Liberia the only countries believed to have never been occupied. The current existing countries are the result of the mass decolonization in the 20th Century.

When one thinks of Africa, it usually is about its biodiversity and wide range of natural resources. Ironically, despite this, Africa is the least wealthy continent per Capita. This is because of the lasting effect of the Scramble for Africa that happened in the 19th Century. These effects have left Africa dependent on colonial powers even after it was mostly decolonized at the end of World War II. Enter the African Association for Evolutionary Economics (AAFEE). Founded by Samuel Enajite Enajero Ph.D., It aims to introduce alternative economic models to the continent for its betterment.

Evolutionary Economics

Evolutionary economics is a theory proposing that the economic process is dynamic. It is a theory that believes that the economy’s behavior depends on the individuals and the whole society. It was a theory first coined by American economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen.

Unlike traditional economics, which puts forth rational choice, evolutionary economics instead argues that psychological factors are some of the critical drivers of the economy. It suggests that it is the people, the family structure, and the community that drives the economy. It is different in that, unlike traditional economics, believes that wealth will “trickle down” and that as long as the top is stable, so will the bottom line; instead, for evolutionary economics, it is these same lower or bottom lines that will dictate the wealth of the overall. This makes it so that, as stated before, in evolutionary economics, the economy is dynamic. It is chaotic and ever-changing.

For believers of evolutionary economics, they believe that failure is a good thing. For them, it is just as important as success. They think that by failing, countries and entities (such as companies and corporations) learn essential lessons. This failure can act as a catalyst for them to find more efficient ways or to develop and improve their products and services. Hence, the entity or country must need to evolve in order to remain competitive.

Evolutionary economics theory also posits that history plays a critical role in a country’s current economic health. It believes that the past will affect the present, and the present will determine the future. How does this apply to Africa? Well, we have to remember that Africa had a tumultuous past. The Scramble for Africa had left it so that it was divided into multiple territories that were colonized by different European nations. These European nations were not always at peace with each other, so this chaos made the economic situation of the whole continent a chaotic one despite being part of the same continent.

As such, for the African continent to develop, it must unite and collectivize. Dr. Samuel Enajite Enajero believes that Africa only has to look at its neighboring continents of Asia to see how this works. Asia, specifically in the Southeast Asia region, lies the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is not as different from Africa. It is home to diverse cultures, religions, and different languages. It was no surprise that when ASEAN was first born, people believed that it was destined to fail. However, despite all odds, the founding countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as the member countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam, still continued to communicate with each other and formed a somewhat collective group that is globally competitive.

In the end, will evolutionary economics work in Africa? Only if they try it. Time will tell.

A Brief Briefing on Espionage

Black and white photo of man facing portrait

It is a well-known fact that prostitution is the world’s oldest profession, but what about the second? Well, there are a lot vying for that title; among them include politician (as said by former US President Ronald Reagan), press agents, quacks, con men, and, as Humorist Emma Bombeck called one of her books, motherhood. One definite answer to this question, though, is the profession of a spy. In fact, prostitution and espionage appeared in one passage in the Bible. In the Book of Joshua, an excerpt reads: “Joshua son of Nun sent two spies out from Shittim secretly with orders to reconnoiter the country. The two men came to Jericho and went to the house of a prostitute named Rahab…”. This definitely places spying and spycraft nearest to the world’s oldest profession. Other mentions of spying in the ancient times include Sun Tzu’s The Art of War (4th century BC), a work that still has an audience even in today’s world. Chanakya of India included a detailed account of intelligence collection, processing, consumption, and operations as important endeavors for keeping the peace should it want to expand its borders in his Arhashastra. It seems that intelligence and counterintelligence are concepts as old as sex, marriage, and cheating.

Interest in espionage has not died down even in the modern days. In fact, it accounts for one of the most lucrative sources of fantasy and entertainment. From the most brazen to the totally discreet, spies have given the most enjoyment to a worldwide audience. Jason Bourne, Eggsy Unwin, and the Kingsmen, the CIA field agent on The Secret Empress, the Angels from Charlie’s Angels, the Black Widows Natasha Romanova and Yelena Belova and their DC comics counterpart of Black Canary: Dinah Drake and Dinah Laurel Lance; there is an impossible number of spies that tickles the public’s fantasy. The most famous of them all is agent 007 himself, James Bond, who, in 2022 and amidst the COVID pandemic, has released his 25th movie outing.

Spying also has affected even the civilian population. Cases of infidelity are often found out with the efforts of private detectives. Industrial and company espionage and corporate espionage have become things that can seriously threaten a company. One such example includes the famous case of the conspiracy against soft-drink giant Coca-Cola. The story goes that a secretary from the Global Headquarters of Coca-Cola stole a vial of the company’s newest product to be given to its biggest rival, Pepsi. This secretary screwed himself over as he misjudged the relationship between the two companies. Police were involved, and the secretary was caught.

The espionage industry of governments has also been bustling. With the advancement of the internet and the advent of social media, the different intelligence communities worldwide are in a mad dash as to who can make use of the enormous data found on the web. Other countries have their different spy agencies. The USA has its CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) and NSA (National Security Agency), and The British has its SIS (Secret Intelligence Service) or more commonly known as the MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section Six). Meanwhile, Russia had its KGB (Romanized as Committee for State Security) until it was dissolved in 1991. It was succeeded by the FSB (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation) and the SVR (Romanized as Foreign Intelligence Service). The latter focuses mainly on civilian affairs, while the former is the principal security agency of Russia and focuses on internal and border security, counter-terrorism, surveillance, and counterintelligence. These agencies and those of other countries have their hand in modern warfare that is still happening today, such as the Vietnam War, the Cold war, and the fight against terrorism.

Spies, spycraft, and espionage are here to stay. Especially now that the world is deep in the information age, there seems to be no end in sight for those who work in the dark. As more and more wars are fought with information rather than guns and ships, the work of spies will forever remain crucial. Not only that, spies and the concept of espionage have also found their place in popular culture and the general public. Even if the time comes that the need for intelligence and clandestine operations has become obsolete, the concept of spying has forever married itself to the faith of humanity. Just as they were mentioned together initially, the world’s second-oldest profession might die together with the world’s oldest profession, but for now, there is no end in sight.

Why Christmas is the Kids’ Favorite Holiday

For kids of all ages, Christmas time is probably the happiest time of the year. Christmas means colorful packed gifts under a Christmas. Christmas means getting out the sled for a ride down the hill, playing in the snow, building a snowman, having a snowball fight, etc. Christmas is all about Santa Claus coming down the chimney, bringing gifts, and placing those gifts on stockings hanging across the fireplace. Although Santa’s unbelievable scene on Nelibeth’s book, Is It Santa?, took a different turn in events, still, author Nelibeth Plaza brought to life the much-beloved Santa and how Christmas is an important occasion for children.

What is Christmas?

Christmas is the much-celebrated Christian tradition celebrated every 25th of December to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. It is a worldwide cultural and religious event that probably has the most prominent commercial phenomena. So significant is the event that even non-Christians would join in the spirit of celebration. Some of the customs practiced include buying and decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, and Christmas meals and parties.

The image of the long white-bearded Santa Claus in his red coat further boosted the popularity of Christmas time as the most favorite holiday. Santa Claus, also called Jolly Ol’ Saint Nicholas or Old Saint Nick, Kriss Kringle, or Father Christmas is the character embodiment of the Christmas spirit: kindness, joy, and giving. The name Sint Nikolaas or Sinter Klaas is Dutch for Saint Nicholas. Hence, the name Santa Claus. It is said that the legend of Santa Claus is about the story of a monk named St. Nicholas, who was born in Turkey somewhere in 280 A.D. The monk was known for giving away the richness that he inherited. He traveled along the countryside, helping the sick and the poor along the way.

Christmas and the Kids

Christmas is for people of all ages, but it is especially for children. Parents and families would go all out in making the occasion special for their children. Families from generation to generation spun their own tradition out of the occasion. A Christmas tradition can be making Christmas decorations. Children are usually assigned to hang Christmas ornaments on the Christmas tree, put up the socks or stockings on the fireplace, or set up the window decorations. Either way, kids loved to be part of making the event a memorable one for the family by making their house conducive and in the right mood for the Christmas spirit.

Another Christmas tradition is cooking and baking Christmas meals. It is another activity where kids of all ages can join in. For the bigger kids, they can be assigned to the stove cooking the hot dinner meals. The younger ones can be involved with making, baking, and decorating Christmas cookies or pastries. Kids find delight in cutting and shaping cookies into Christmas shapes and symbols such as reindeers, candy canes, Christmas trees, the Gingerbread man, or any shapes and symbols they interpret and relate with Christmas as a holiday.

Singing Christmas songs, or “caroling,” is another Christmas tradition. A typical scenario is the family gathering around the fireplace, singing famous Christmas songs or carols such as Jingle Bells, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, etc. Caroling is also about a group of kids, or adults, coming together, going from house to house, singing Christmas carols in return for cash donations to fund a program they’re representing, receiving free food, or just singing for free.

Building a snowman in front of the house, out on the lawn, is one of the kids’ favorite Christmas traditions. It is a fun activity to do despite being wet or cold, and everyone is making an effort to make sure that the snowman is sturdy. From rolling the snow to different shapes and sizes that make up the snowman’s body to designing the snowman’s face, building a snowman is a fun activity that endears to kids of all ages. They would dress up the snowman with a tie, scarf, and a hat, complete with buttons that sometimes make up for the eyes. The hands would be sticks, and the nose would be carrots. Before anyone knows it, the snowman is done.

Indeed, Christmas is the happiest time of the year, especially for the kids. Despite the cold weather, there’s a certain warmth that makes Christmas the kids’ favorite holiday. After all, is there any other holiday on earth that has all of these wonderful, heartwarming traditions on just a single occasion?

A Closer Look at Children’s Books

The core theme of friendship and love is at the heart of all children’s books. Take Caroleann Rice’s books, for instance. In Rice’s Ladybug Children’s Book, The Ladybug And The Bully Frog, Rice takes us closer to the bonds of friendship to solve what seemed to be a hopeless situation. Her books often portray the epitome of adversities conquered through the bond of friendship, with the help coming from a mysterious friend known as the Mighty Wondrous Voice of Love. Finding out who the Mighty Wondrous Voice of Love is is one of the readers’ mysteries to discover. Children’s books are often just like that – simple, with a tad bit of curiosity and just a hint of mystery to keep the young readers captivated.

Children’s Books Over the Years

Children’s books have gone through many changes over the centuries, mainly shaped by the events occurring when the books were written. Religion at first plays a significant role in influencing the theme surrounding children’s stories, capitalizing on existing, somewhat strict, moral, and philosophical beliefs ongoing during those times. Later on, children’s books’ themes took on a more liberal route over time as society adopted a more socially progressive outlook and stance regarding expressing ideas and opinions more freely. No matter how time influences a children’s book author’s writing style, friendship and love are consistent, not to mention persistent, key themes and the end lesson goals of most children’s stories.

What Makes Children’s Books Distinctive?

Simple and pretty straightforward are the words that come to mind when thinking about children’s books. The books use simple words in simple language, accompanying bright and colorful pictures. Children are visual learners. The more pictures there are in the books, the more children are attracted to them. Another distinctive trait is that children’s books, most of the time, write about characters that are identifiable and appealing to the children. No protagonist or antagonist with a complicated back story. Just a simple recognition of who’s the bad guy and who’s the good guy. A very engaging language is also a distinctive trait, as evidenced by the rhyming words used in children’s books. And of course, what will a children’s book be without life lessons? Children’s books convey lessons about life, particularly on, yes, you guessed it, friendship and love.

More Than Just Written Words

Readers often ask the question: what are the reasons authors create stories that they do, or what messages are the authors trying to send out? Readers enjoy putting on the coat and hat of sleuths as if every book that they encounter has a mystery to solve, whether it’s finding out the solution to the problem or simply just guessing the story’s ending. If the readers find themselves caught up in the situation of the who’s, the what’s, the where’s, the when’s, the why’s, the how’s, and even the what if’s, then the author is successful in their goal – and that is engaging the reader! Every authors’ goal, especially for a children’s book author, is to engage their readers by stimulating their intelligence, social skills, and even creativity. More than just written words, a book, in this case, a children’s book, sets out to make its readers think. And sometimes to even think out of the box! Whether mentally or emotionally stimulated, intelligence comes in expressed opinions, making readers think deeply about the book story’s topic. Children’s books’ stories enhance a child’s mental, emotional, or even moral development. These stories also promote a child’s social skills when they apply what they have read in real life. In time, the child grew creative in coming up with solutions using whatever knowledge or skills they learned from reading.

The Takeaway

Children’s books are meant to shape and influence a child’s outlook towards life. The words and pictures used merely communicate the author’s intent. Children’s books are meant to promote literacy and social development. How a child reacts to those books would tell how effective an author is as a writer or communicator. If the Ladybug children’s book could impart the message on friendship and love, then yes, this book is an example of how good and effective a children’s book can be.

You And I Across The Moon

What Is A Moon?

As scientists would explain the existence of the Moon, according to them, billions of years ago, when the solar system started to exist, a rock size of Mars smashed into the Earth, and the Earth was created.

As Mars collided with the Earth, the debris from Earth and Mars formed a natural satellite.

A moon is a large object that travels around the Earth. The Moon is the next brightest object after the sun, and it orbits around the Earth. It orbits around the Earth. The Moon is made up of rocks, and the surface has thousands of pits. These are called craters. The rocks and metal formed by the craters are called meteors. As meteors crash to the Moon. These crashes covered the Moon with rock and dust. Centuries ago, volcanoes erupted. That is why the Moon has plains of lava.

Moon has two types of movement: spin and orbit. The Moon orbits around the Earth for about 27 days to make one whole trip. The Moon also spins about its center and completes one rotation in about 27 days. At the same time, it takes one to complete one orbit. That is why the Moon always faces Earth at any time.

The Truth About The Moon

The Moon is a permanent natural satellite of the Earth. It is part of the solar system. The Moon is the largest among the planetary satellites depending on what planet it is orbiting. Among the planets, the Moon is the second densest satellite after Jupiter. As you look at the Moon, its rotation is the same as that of the Earth. Both the Earth and the Moon move synchronously with the Earth. The Moon has extensive, dark plains and fills the spaces between the bright ancient crustal highlands, and brings bulging impact craters. The surface of the Moon is dark. It appears bright to you because the sky is dark at night. The gravity of the Moon motivates the tides of the ocean and how long the day is. As we glimpse the sky, it seems the sun and the Moon have the same size. The distance between the Moon and the Earth is nearer than that of the sun. The sun is farther from the Moon. That is the reason why when we look at the sun, both sizes are the same. The Moon causes the tides of our seas and ocean here on Earth. The orbit of the also causes the tide and rock to move; they rise and fall. Like the Earth, the Moon has quakes too, which they call moonquakes because of the gravity of the Earth. The moonquakes are not like earthquakes that last seconds; the moonquakes take half an hour. There has been no sign on the data about the Moon having water, but it is a fact that the Moon is very cold, so maybe the water is formed by dust and minerals that are trapped within the surface ar\ea as stated.

How Facts Of The Moon Came About

In ancient times people used telescopes to observe the Moon. They were able to study the Moon. Modern technology has sent many spacecraft to the Moon.

In ancient Egypt, Egyptian astronomers kept track of the rising time of the sun; the Chinese determined the length of the year just as Egyptians do. Both the Egyptians and the Chinese kept records about the bright meteor, comets, and some they call it to guess stars. The Mayans and Central America developed a modern view of the Moon through the planet venus. Centuries ago, Britain used stones to keep track of the motion of the Moon and the sun. Presently, Britain made great stone circles to trace back what they had found out about the Moon. In early Greeks, they depend on shreds of evidence of religious symbolism. The circles and spheres suggest the Earth and the Moon are round.

Presently, the Moon is about 4.53 billion years old. Astronauts, read through the Story of astronauts living on the Moon, were sent to the Moon to explore. Exploration of the Moon has taught much about the solar system’s evolution known to man.

By visiting the Moon, you can expand your knowledge about the universe. The fundamentals of the origin of evolution to the Moon were based on years of gathering facts and experiments. There are statistics on the objects found on the Moon. It would be suitable for astronauts to go to the Moon again because it is beneficial to humanity. After all, we can learn more about our past (by studying the facts people got from ancient times) and have a peek at our future of what lies ahead.

How to Make Friends Who Aren’t Your Age

How do you even begin a friendship with someone from a different generation? According to various reports, the four most common ways to make an intergenerational friend are through work, a mutual friend, a faith-based organization, or in your neighborhood. As it turns out, the context in which you meet someone will already give you a common ground. Start there! In any friendship, but age is a more significant “differentiating factor,” try not to focus on age. While some friendships will have a built-in “age consideration,” such as a mentor-mentee relationship, a friendship between equals recognizes that age is simply a number.

You can stick to shared interests when you’re just starting to know someone. It can be work, that mutual friend, or how long they’ve been living in the neighborhood. Make sure to be genuinely interested, empathetic, and open-minded about the rest of their life as well. Change your mindset from “I can’t relate” or “I’ve never been through that” to “I wonder what that’s like.” If they talk about their favorite movies from the ’70s (before you were born), ask them about the plot lines or when they first watched it. You can tell them about the ups and downs of living in general or the latest YouTube star you discovered. Over time, if there is a desire on both sides to nurture the friendship, they will open up more, and you will be more easily able to celebrate the differences.

Below are ten of the most read picture books that celebrate the special bond between children and grandparents. And, because they can be so beautiful and vital, must-read books that feature intergenerational friendships were included.

The Poppies on the Hill

The book is about respectful relationships on The Poppies on the Hill, written by Ted Landkammer. It is a bittersweet tale of intergenerational friendship. When Sarah’s family moves to a small town, the nine-year-old finds comfort and companionship with her ninety-three-year-old neighbor, Granny Brannigan. The appropriately paced story focuses on how Sarah learns empathy for Granny, older and requires help. The book finds Sarah coming to Granny’s aid more than once. Quick strokes capture Sarah’s girlhood. She progresses from a carefree girl dressed in her mother’s clothes to a deliberately compassionate person who checks up on and cares for her neighbor.

Our Favorite Day

Written by Joowon Oh, this book is about a grandfather and granddaughter who spend time together once a week, and when they do, it is their favorite day every time. SO sweet!

Tiny, Perfect Things

M. H. Clark and Madeline Kloepper wrote this book. This book is simply adorable! It features a grandfather and granddaughter on a walk and all the little bits of nature they notice and treasure. Simple and lovely.

How to Babysit a Grandpa

How to Babysit a Grandpa by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish is a humorous and adorable book that specializes in sharing how involved grandparents can be with grandchildren and the special times they have together, and the memories they create.

When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree

When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan and Lorraine Rocha is a new favorite. In the story, a little girl is initially disappointed to receive a lemon tree for her birthday from her grandmother. However, she soon learns her grandmother’s wisdom, and the tree turns out to be the best gift ever.

Thank You!

Written by Charo Pita and Anuska Allepuz, this book is so heartwarming. A young girl asks her grandmother many of life’s questions, and the grandmother responds by saying she doesn’t know the answer, but she knows what to do: express gratitude.

The House at the End of the Road

A book by Kari Rust is a story about three children who make an unexpected friendship with an elderly gentleman who lives next to their grandmother’s house. They learn about his life and continue to care for him and be friends with him after leaving his home for assisted living.

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards and G. Brian Karas. It is the story of a little girl and her neighbor friend Mrs. Goldman. She likes to go to Mrs. Goldman’s and help her make hats for people in their community. However, one day she decides that Mrs. Goldman needs a hat of her own and decides to act kindly by making one for her.

Birdsong

Birdsong by Julie Flett is a gentle and thought-provoking book about a young girl as she adjusts from a move, develops a sweet relationship with a senior neighbor, and accepts the changing of the seasons and the changing of her new friend’s failing health. It was beautifully written.

The Neighborhood Surprise

Written by Sarah Van Dongen, it is a heartwarming book with a beautiful focus on community as a neighborhood comes together to throw a going-away party for their beloved, elderly neighbor Mrs. Figg. It shows the neighbors cooking thoughtful dishes (such as vegan dishes for their vegan neighbors) and is simply lovely.

Lights, Camera, Action!

An action movie is a film where the protagonist progresses into s series of events that involve physical fights. This type of film shows the struggle between the protagonist and the antagonist. The movie usually demonstrates the dangerous pursuits of the villain. Most of the time, the protagonists win during a life-threatening situation, but there are times when the antagonist wins.

Can Everybody Watch Action Movies?

Some films have brutal fighting scenes, so there the audience is limited.

For instance, Rated G – for general audiences means suitable for all audiences from children to adults. There is PG – it is a kind where parents’ guidance is required because some scenes are not suitable for children. PG 13, meaning some situations in the movie, are inappropriate for children under 13 years old. In Rated R, children under 17 years old cannot watch it alone. Parents or adult guardians should accompany their children in watching this type of movie.

Why Do People Watch Action Movies?

People watch action movies because of the excitement that is brought by the audience. The scenes are heart-pounding that it gives them a rush of adrenaline that goes through their bodies. When the fast-paced action scenes kick in, and action begins, the audience is drawn to the movie, making them feel that they’re part of it. The adventures in the movie will let you feel that you were there and that you are part of the movie.

People enjoy watching action movies because actions movies are less neurotic. The theory is a film that does not dwell much on emotions. The movies are more creative and adventurous.

There are action movies that are derived from a book. These books are more meticulous and challenging to write because every scene is described and explained in detail. Take a glimpse of a dangerous quest on Secret Empress book, which outlines every scene as if the book’s readers are present. Readers also feel they are part of the characters in the book.

Action books are more conscientious because the author has to imagine how the reader would imagine the action. The author has to write in a way that the reader will interpret the same way that he does. Action scenes are challenging to write in detail because they require more imagery or artistry on the reader and the writer.

People enjoy watching action movies because the scenarios in the movie can create stress and, at the same time, enjoyment. But the stress is not like the stress in your work. It is more stressful when the action requires complete control of the presented situation. The scenes are also short-lived. Action movies are the best instruments in escaping reality.

Action movies give you a sense of relief because watching suspenseful movies releases cortisol, the stress hormone produced in our brain. The brain also releases dopamine, which delivers a feeling of pleasure to its audience.

In watching movies, the audience emphasizes the fictional characters as real persons in front of their faces. There is a psychological effect on watching an action movie, such as identifying the characters and the proximity effect the movie wants to convey.

Action movies are best watched with your families and friends because they give you time to enjoy or do something together, bringing more positivity to each family member.

Some action movies are relatable in your life. The film will give you an effect on your life and personal development. Most movies inspire us to become good, like forgiving our enemies or making up with our spouses or loved ones. Often the movies motivate us to change our lives, especially if we live our lives like a bummer.

You learn new things by watching movies like expanding your vocabulary or learning a foreign language if you watch foreign films. Watching a documentary action film gives you a wide spread of intelligence to educate yourself on its issues and events.

For children, action movies would make them more creative. For Example, Harry Potter has significantly made children expand their imagination. Initially, Harry Potter was a book full of ideas and imagination, which is comparable to the dangerous quest on Secret Empress book, in solving problems with children and adults. Action movies are an escape to reality for a while and set aside our problems for the moment.

As a whole, action movies are a fun source of entertainment. They help[ us deal with difficult situations, especially those movies that mirror our current situations.

Action movies are state-of-the-art entertainment because of the pictures in the film, architecture, costumes, and sound design, primarily when the movie is filmed in another country or another era. It makes the audience feel that they are traveling with a hero.

Most people say that actions movies relax them, but the truth is it keeps their brain alert and active throughout the movie. It makes their brain process how it would process in real life.

War and Its Casualties

Numerous chronicles and stories have been created in the name of war. All the more that novels become masterpieces if they were based on actual events. It’s like playing a part in history books minus mentioning your name, of course. We want that void filled somewhere deep inside, the feeling of whether you mattered in a story, even if you were just on the sidelines.

How ironic is it that we place tragic events on a pedestal while turning a blind eye on the folks who lost their lives and loved ones? Often the trauma lingers even after celebrating victories. I don’t think money can even come close to replacing a life. If only wars never existed, we would just be tending to our lives and further cultivating them.

As we trace back the roots of war, the latter exists because of conflict. Whether it arose due to food, territory, or resources, it’s like a mix of unity and diversity. Unity in a sense that inhabitants had a common goal and excluded groups with a different belief than theirs. The visual accounts of such can be seen in ancient carvings dating back to the Sumerian tribes. Although we don’t know who gave the idea of organizing what we now call war, I can only infer that it came about as a response to a threat.

Then came conquests for power and land. I can’t tell if greed propelled this ideology of success or more of making a legacy for the generations to come. Along with it came revolts and skirmishes within territories, usually brought about by overstepping boundaries. Striking a balance between opposing parties is always challenging, but those in the upper hand vehemently make all the rules.

One example of a struggle within a nation is the American civil war. There are tons of stories written about the latter based on facts or fiction due to the immense bloodshed and death toll, similar to Francis Dutch’s book about civil war. Not in anyone’s wildest dreams have they seen such a torturing 4-year conflict, let alone leading to the assassination of a president. It shows what extent a particular direction can lead any person to do.

What gives me that heavy feeling is that it compromises the welfare of those caught in the middle. Like what happened to Casualties of War, the vulnerable take the most significant hit.

I can only imagine the terror and helplessness felt by the victims. I wouldn’t wish that for any child to experience. Imagine getting confused with all the hate and turmoil around you and what that will do to one’s mental health. Physical wounds can be stitched and tended, but emotional scars can last a lifetime.

“We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other’s children.” (Jimmy Carter)

Upon watching and reading about stories on the battlefield, I can’t help but wonder if winning in warfare is worth it. Most would coin it as collateral damage, but what if it was your family in the middle of it all? Would you still have the same mindset or sentiment if that were the case?

And we’re not just talking about the physical impacts. The psychological side is also affected, especially by those on the front lines. Fortunately, we’ve now educated ourselves on mental health concerns, but the previous generations weren’t so lucky. Many soldiers had PTSD in silence, again affecting people close to them.

In most accounts, what significantly contributed to the death toll were illnesses, famine, and diseases caused by battle wounds since the healthcare system wasn’t sophisticated in the past. An invisible enemy in the midst of it all is more difficult to win against in this case.

I just fervently hope that humanity learns to care a little bit more and consider all things before engaging the other party head-on. The adverse effects of battle far outweigh the benefits, and the costs of waging warfare can be felt up to the future generations of the victims. We owe it to ourselves, for we deserve continuous peace and tranquility.

“Nothing will end war unless the people refuse to go to war.” -Albert Einstein