Meet three sisters who share their child-hood memories of growing up in a rural, midwestern neighborhood.
*Vicky - the painfully shy, easy-going, middle child
*Jenny - the spunky tomboy, tender hearted, older-by-twelve minutes twin
*Cindy - the playful, constatnly scared, official baby of the family.
Kaleidoscope Memories is a debut collection of stories by three sisters who share their childhood memories of growing up in a rural midwestern subdivision in the early 1950's. Play was with toys that worked on imagination, family rules were obeyed, church attendance was observed and families spent time together creating memories and learning to be respectful of each other and their feelings.
Join the sisters as they journey through the kaleidoscope and share their memories. Perhaps you will find those precious memories that had been tucked away and remember again the joy of your childhood.
Professional Reviews
A Trip Back In Time-A Fun Read!
Kaleidoscope Memories is a heart-warming collection of childhood memories written by three sisters which gave me a good feeling that I found refreshing. It is uplifting, amusing and light-hearted. I liked peeking in on this family with six kids. Parents could certainly learn some tips from these wonderful parents who were strict, but not mean and responsible but also fun loving. I especially liked the tales about the monster dog, the blanket trap, the family pets and napping with mama. Reading this brought back similar memories but barrel racing was new to me. I recommend this to anyone who likes family stories and is looking for something wholesome and entertaining to read.
Karen Zemek – Author “My Funny Dad, Harry.” http://karenzemek.blogspot.com
A Delightful Read
Three sisters share memories of growing up in a large family. Their stories revisit the fears, fantasies and happy childhood events and places that baby boomers cherish. Heartfelt recollections of school days, unforgettable teachers, favorite pets, backyard fun, hand-me-downs, and lazy afternoons under a willow tree transport the reader back to a simpler, less complicated time. They reminisce about holidays, picnics in the park, and the consequences of disobeying authority. Parents ruled and everyone ate what was on their plates.
This book is a delightful read that will evoke pleasant thoughts for anyone who has ever worn a pair of saddle shoes or ridden a bicycle on a summer day.
Lina Rehal, author of Carousel Kisses. www.luvs2write.com
Great Memories Of How It Really Was
The clever cover and title immediately caught my attention. I enjoyed remembering various scenes of my own childhood as I looked through this kaleidoscope. My favorite story was about the fox fur stole of the 1940’s. Oh, I remember the animal pelts complete with heads, feet, and tails. Who could forget saddle shoes of the 1950’s? Serious moments and delightful moments are recreated in stories of school days, family pets, playtime, mealtime, church activities, childhood fears, etc. How many of children of today can imagine 6 children and two adults in a house with only one bathroom and no air-conditioning? How many of their toys run on imagination? How often does a group enjoy the action games described in this book? What did kids do before TV and computers! Mealtime was always family time. Values were taught largely by families, church, friends, and interacting with others.
This is a great book to share with children, teens, parents, and especially grandparents. Perhaps more of us should jot down a few notes or even stories to share with our own children: the first time we saw a microwave, what we were doing when we learned about 9-11, our experiences with teachers, friends, etc. as we grew up. I’m glad these three sisters have let us look into the kaleidoscope of their memories with this collection of short stories by each of them.
Betsy B. Lee – Learning Abilities Books http://www.learningbooks.net
Kaleidoscope Memories – Childhood Stories that Celebrate Family Life Author: Cindy Oldham, Vicky Ennis, Jenny Stees
www.TideDancer.com
Reviewed By: Georgia Richardson
As I read Kaleidoscope Memories - Childhood Stories that Celebrate Family Life, I couldn't help but think that these authors were surely paying it backwards by collecting and sharing their childhood stories. So many people take life a day at a time never allowing the sweet memories of yesterday to come forward, linger a bit, and fill them up. Not so in this reading journey.
Author Cindy Oldham and her sibling co-authors, transport the reader to simpler times where innocents and child-like wonderment abound. Through many stories of school, pets, childhood fears, and other golden moments, the reader will be coaxed gently into relaxing and remembering their own youthfulness.
As I read the chapter, “The Path to Lego Town,” the simple analogy that life can be exciting as we make it and that the possibilities are limitless, was not wasted on this reader. Sometimes it takes seeing it, and living it through a child's eyes to bring this truth home again.
School days, drive-in movies, traditional home-cooked meals we all learned to hate (i.e., liver and onions) and stories like, “Napping with Mama,” will bring a sigh and a smile to any reader's face; and maybe even tug at the heartstrings for buried memories of their own. It was a nice journey; and pleasing. Truly it was about two of the most important things in the world—family…and love.
Join me as we travel together on the road called "Aging." I will be sharing my personal experiences with you and offer ideas on how we can better navigate the complex byways of our older years. Grief, healing, generations, ancestors, and more.
This book is an autobiographical account of the lessons I learned about life and how I was able to apply them to inspire, motivate and empower others in my own work as a firefighter, as well in my daily life as a husband, a father and a man. When I w
