My Dad Loves Me Very Much (Book) - 4/16/2018 6:11:12 AM
Charming and loving story. I found the story was appealing for all ages and would especially be well-received by the elementary-age student or for a teacher to read to students.
The illustrations are simple but relevant for the content. They are age-appropriate for children and might capture their interest in drawing. Personally, I enjoyed the black and white pictures as a break from all the colored and overdone images bombarding our minds.
The writing and format is wonderful and would encourage the writer and illustrator to continue with their gifts. I especially applaud the writer on his concept of highlighting the father as the parent involved in this story.
I feel this is a nice little book that could easily be marketed to elementary schools and/or doctor's offices. Also it would make a wonderful addition in an art class for reference material.
Thanks to the author for the dedication and imagination in writing this wonderful story.
Surviving Schizophrenia (Book) - 4/11/2018 12:54:59 AM
**I received this book for a fair and honest review. Receiving the book did not influence myu opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.**
Surviving Schizophrenia is a memoir written by Richard Carlson Jr. Te author describes is journey with paranoid schizophrenia. e takes us inside his mind, sharing his delusions and hallucinations with us. He also examines his symptoms logically after-the-fact. It's a very interesting read.
As a reader, you cannot help but feel for Carlson as his mind torments him and cheer for him as he makes his way into recovery.
I loved that Carlson shares a few tips on handling mental illness at the very end of the book, but I do wish he had shared more tips for others who are struggling that he's learned from his own experience. I feel the author could raise a lot of awareness with this book and help a lot of other people.
Surviving Schizophrenia (Book) - 1/18/2018 9:52:20 AM
How a Failed Diagnosis Creates so Much Needless Suffering!
Surviving Schizophrenia is a memoir written by Richard Carlson, Jr., who was diagnosed at twenty-one with this mental illness. The book takes you inside Richard's tormented head, at the same time as a part of him rationally shares how what is happening to him is affecting him physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
The reader cannot but help but embrace great empathy when reading about author Carlson's unrelenting, demonic, and tyrannical voices that beseech him to take his life, to believe what didn't happen or even exist. The author in dual consciousness reveals to us his interior, conflicted mental world and also his roller coaster ride to eventual acceptance of his mental illness and recovery.
Because Richard was not diagnosed correctly when the schizophrenia emerged around age 12, so much of his life was spent trapped in an abyss of pain, denial, and acting out. Author Carlson's journey and his reporting of it and how it affected him is at times was very painful to read. A human life is a terrible thing to waste in needless suffering because of misdiagnosis.
The book points out that the medical system can fail. That someone close to anyone with severe mental illness needs an advocate to support recovery when the afflicted person is lost in delusion. The book's message is do not look the other way! Get the right help!
For anyone who worries that a loved one may have schizophrenia, I unreservedly recommend reading Richard Carlson, Jr.'s book. His survival and recovery from this insidious mental illness is a testimony to early on diagnoses and treatment. The author has succeeded in his intention to create awareness about this mental condition and how to recover from it. He shares from his life experience how debilitating schizophrenia was for him and the hell it put his family through! So great to know there is light at the end of this tunnel
It greatly saddened me that Richard Carlson, Jr. suffered so much and needlessly had he just be given the right diagnosis the moment the mental illness symptoms started happening. This would have lead to the right doctors, proper medication, and continued support to maintain recovery.
I sincerely recommend this book for people and students interested in the study of Schizophrenia and psychology and for people who suspect they may have schizophrenia and for the families of loved ones suffering from severe mental illness.
My Dad Loves Me Very Much (Book) - 1/12/2018 8:28:27 AM
Richard Carlson Jr's book My Dad Loves Me Very Much is written for boys and girls reading at about second or third grade level. Ben has his heart set on completing a task that could be dangerous for him but his Dad encourages him to keep trying. The story conveys a very positive message but sadly I think the print is too small, especially for beginning readers.
Most children's books use a larger easy to read bolder font. Richard has chosen a light at best 12 font. It was hard to read, even for me. The illustrations are in black and white but I am sure most children would prefer bright colorful more detailed pictures. As a child, I enjoyed bright pictures and I am sure that hasn't changed in the last 50 plus years.
Richard please keep writing but consider this new title... My Dad Still Loves Me Very Much. May I suggest you use a larger bold font, detailed colorful pictures and less words on the page. Instead of having pictures on a separate page, put them at the top of the page with captions underneath them... just a friendly suggestion.
