Alyson Serena Stone's Blog, page 14
December 14, 2022
New Youtube Video: Vlog: Tis the Season Shop Tour
New Youtube Video: Vlog: Tis the Season Shop Tour
Please note, it may take a few hours before the video is fully processed.
Link: https://youtu.be/scj_bbCjEb4
Description:
Hello everyone! Today I am taking you on a tour of Tis the Season in Holmes County, Oh! This is the largest Christmas store in Ohio. This footage is from July 2022. I did go back in November and they did have more, but it was busy. If you want to go look, I would recommend going in the summer. Just keep in mind that they don’t have as much in store.
My Thoughts:
For Business Inquiries: Aphrodite-venus-u.k@hotmail.com
Publishers, authors, and companies-I do take requests for reviews, interviews, product endorsements, and etc. Check on my livejournal page for more information as to what content I am looking for. Dates do fill up quickly-I only like to feature on thing a day so you aren’t overlooked.
Links:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCicZ...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AlysonSeren...
Livejournal: http://serenastone.livejournal.com/pr...
Fictionpress: https://www.fictionpress.com/u/773118...
Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2489110/...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-te...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
Medium:
https://medium.com/@AlysonSerenaStone
Please note, it may take a few hours before the video is fully processed.
Link: https://youtu.be/scj_bbCjEb4
Description:
Hello everyone! Today I am taking you on a tour of Tis the Season in Holmes County, Oh! This is the largest Christmas store in Ohio. This footage is from July 2022. I did go back in November and they did have more, but it was busy. If you want to go look, I would recommend going in the summer. Just keep in mind that they don’t have as much in store.
My Thoughts:
For Business Inquiries: Aphrodite-venus-u.k@hotmail.com
Publishers, authors, and companies-I do take requests for reviews, interviews, product endorsements, and etc. Check on my livejournal page for more information as to what content I am looking for. Dates do fill up quickly-I only like to feature on thing a day so you aren’t overlooked.
Links:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCicZ...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AlysonSeren...
Livejournal: http://serenastone.livejournal.com/pr...
Fictionpress: https://www.fictionpress.com/u/773118...
Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2489110/...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-te...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
Medium:
https://medium.com/@AlysonSerenaStone
December 5, 2022
New Youtube Video: Economics and Economic System For Upper Elementary School/Middle School
New Youtube Video: Economic Systems and Economics Lesson For Upper Elementary/Middle School
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/MmhPVqHwaz4
Description:
Today I am doing a virtual/distance learning lesson on economic systems and economics for upper elementary and middle school. In this lesson, I go over basic economic terms and economic systems. This lesson is designed for virtual learning and distance learning.
Subject: Economics, Social Studies
Topic: Economics, Economic Systems, Money
Grades: 4th-9th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/MmhPVqHwaz4
Description:
Today I am doing a virtual/distance learning lesson on economic systems and economics for upper elementary and middle school. In this lesson, I go over basic economic terms and economic systems. This lesson is designed for virtual learning and distance learning.
Subject: Economics, Social Studies
Topic: Economics, Economic Systems, Money
Grades: 4th-9th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
December 3, 2022
New Medium Article and Free Stories!
Hello everyone! I have just posted a new story on my Medium page, as well as my fictionpress page.. I have also posted a new story on fanfiction page too. It will be linked below as well.
Links:
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: A Harry Potter Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14168170...
Fictionpress: https://www.fictionpress.com/s/336581...
Medium: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
LiveJournal: https://serenastone.livejournal.com/3...
Links:
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: A Harry Potter Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14168170...
Fictionpress: https://www.fictionpress.com/s/336581...
Medium: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
LiveJournal: https://serenastone.livejournal.com/3...
November 11, 2022
New Medium Article: Light Yagami: Villain, Hero, or Victim?
Hello everyone! I just posted a new article over on my Medium page. The link to the full story is down below, as well as a sneak peek.
Link to Full Article: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
This article contains spoilers for the Death Note manga series. This article is based on the manga series, not the anime show.
Ever since it was published in 2003, Death Note has become one of the most popular manga series ever. The idea of having the power to kill just by writing their name down in a notebook intrigued many people, myself included. It brought up several moral questions for me as well. What would you do if you had the power? Would you try it out? Would you turn it in? Would you turn in Light Yagami?
The manga opens with Light in school. He is brilliant, handsome, and at the top of his game. He is the young man that every male wants to be and the boy every girl wants to date. He is cool and confident. He is good a everything he does. His peers and family worship him. We see this time and time again. Whenever something goes wrong, everyone turns to Light, because he usually has the answer they need. We see this with his younger sister when she needs help with math homework. Even the Japanese police have turned to him when they need to solve a difficult case. Even before the events in Death Note, he is given this god-like status and everyone bows to him. Having a god-like status allows him to be put above everyone around him. In his mind, this makes him untouchable. He can do no wrong.
On top of having everything going for him, Light is bored. Life is great for him, but it’s not enough. When we first met Light, we see him spend hours in his room studying for entrance exams. While people his age are interested in him, he doesn’t seem to have any desire to join them. This self-isolation and being bored, in this day and age, would be a red flag. However, people know that this is who Light is and don’t question it. When he does start to venture out into society, no one questions it either. I believe that the idea of Light can do no wrong stops people from wondering if something could be going on with him.
It is because of this boredom that Light is first taken down his dark and twisted path. Light is coming out of school when he stumbles upon a notebook, which happens to be a Shinigami’s Death Note. Light, being a curious teenage boy, picks up the notebook. As soon as he picks up the Death Note, he becomes its owner. He opens it and reads the rules. At first, Light doesn’t come across as interested in using the notebook. He doesn’t believe that the Death Note’s powers are real. The world doesn’t work the way the notebook says it does. You cannot kill someone by writing their name down in a notebook. He takes it home but still doesn’t believe that it is possible. However, the more he thinks about it, the more he starts to wonder if it is real.
He decides to experiment. Now he doesn’t experiment because he wants to see if the notebook’s powers are real or not, he does so because he believes that he is the only one who can bear its power. This makes Light come across as arrogant and all-knowing, which stems from everyone treating him like a god. It is here that he meets Ryuk, the Shinigami who dropped the notebook. Ryuk tells Light that he has dropped the notebook into the human world and that when Light dies, he will be the one to write Light’s name in the Death Note. This may not seem like a big deal as Light does brush it off, but this shows us the brilliance of Death Note. This little line is foreshadowing what is to come.
Light decides that he will use the Death Note as a way to rid the world of evil. Again, this goes back to the god-like way that people had been treating him all along. It also stems from his idea of justice. He has a strong sense of right and wrong. He wants to do what is right and does want to make the world a better place. He believes that he can do so by just killing criminals. He believes that by ridding the world of them, he is making it a better place for all. He repeatedly calls the world “rotten” and claims that he is the “God of a new world.” He is driven by his goals. He doesn’t do anything out of rashness. Yes, he knows what is he doing is murder, but believes that is necessary. After all, he is making the world a better and safer place. Crime rates are down. Everything is going just as he planned.
It also doesn’t help that there are people out there who openly support what he is doing. They even call Kira, his new name, a god, which, again, fits into the worship that he has always had. He is their hero and saviour. He doesn’t stop there though. His quest for justice becomes so twisted and skewed by this that he starts to turn into a monster. He moves away from solely killing criminals to murdering those who get in his way. At this point, the Japanese police, FBI, and L are involved in finding and arresting Kira. Light views them as people who are in his way. They are stopping him from building his perfect world and this is a problem. He starts to write innocent peoples’ names in the Death Note, manipulates them to get what he wants, and when his followers are of no use to him, he drops them. Still, he maintains the belief that he is doing all of this to save the world. He believes that by taking on the burden of writing names in the Death Note he is sacrificing himself to make the world a kind and safer place. Those who get in his way don’t understand what he is attempting to do. Since they don’t understand, then they are villains and, therefore, must be ended.
Though Light does believe that what is doing is for the best, we start to see his character change. He still maintains his belief that he is a god and that he is the only one who can carry out the deed. We see him start to become cold and ruthless. For example, Misa, who worships the ground Light walks on, becomes one of the first victims of this change. Now, Light has not treated her very kindly at all. She has her Death Note, which Light finds out about. He takes advantage of her love for him. He puts in her danger and doesn’t value her. At times, he comes across as abusive. Still, she stays with him because she views him with, once again, a god-like status. Misa isn’t the only victim of Light’s coldness and ruthlessness. We also see it when his sister, Sayu, is kidnapped and held for ransom. Light stops his father from saving her. Why? Well, it will most likely reveal that he is Kira.
Light does not show any kind of remorse for his actions. Again, he has that mindset that he is doing the world a favour. All of this hints that Light is truly not evil. We can sort of see this when he loses the Death Note. We see Light’s intelligence put to good use. Now, of course, it’s for his gain, but we can see the good in him. The only reason he gave up the Death Note was to get the suspicion off of himself. When he loses the Death Note, he loses all memories of it. We see him as compassionate, not wanting to use others for personal gain, and having a strong distaste for killing. He becomes the opposite of what we have seen so far. This shows us what kind of a person Light could have been. He uses what he knows to help others. He maintains this sense of doing what is right and bettering the world. He wants to do what is right and bring justice to the world. Of course, this all changes once he regains the Death Note and his memories. He goes right back to the way he was before, stopping at nothing to keep his god-like status.
Link to Full Article: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
This article contains spoilers for the Death Note manga series. This article is based on the manga series, not the anime show.
Ever since it was published in 2003, Death Note has become one of the most popular manga series ever. The idea of having the power to kill just by writing their name down in a notebook intrigued many people, myself included. It brought up several moral questions for me as well. What would you do if you had the power? Would you try it out? Would you turn it in? Would you turn in Light Yagami?
The manga opens with Light in school. He is brilliant, handsome, and at the top of his game. He is the young man that every male wants to be and the boy every girl wants to date. He is cool and confident. He is good a everything he does. His peers and family worship him. We see this time and time again. Whenever something goes wrong, everyone turns to Light, because he usually has the answer they need. We see this with his younger sister when she needs help with math homework. Even the Japanese police have turned to him when they need to solve a difficult case. Even before the events in Death Note, he is given this god-like status and everyone bows to him. Having a god-like status allows him to be put above everyone around him. In his mind, this makes him untouchable. He can do no wrong.
On top of having everything going for him, Light is bored. Life is great for him, but it’s not enough. When we first met Light, we see him spend hours in his room studying for entrance exams. While people his age are interested in him, he doesn’t seem to have any desire to join them. This self-isolation and being bored, in this day and age, would be a red flag. However, people know that this is who Light is and don’t question it. When he does start to venture out into society, no one questions it either. I believe that the idea of Light can do no wrong stops people from wondering if something could be going on with him.
It is because of this boredom that Light is first taken down his dark and twisted path. Light is coming out of school when he stumbles upon a notebook, which happens to be a Shinigami’s Death Note. Light, being a curious teenage boy, picks up the notebook. As soon as he picks up the Death Note, he becomes its owner. He opens it and reads the rules. At first, Light doesn’t come across as interested in using the notebook. He doesn’t believe that the Death Note’s powers are real. The world doesn’t work the way the notebook says it does. You cannot kill someone by writing their name down in a notebook. He takes it home but still doesn’t believe that it is possible. However, the more he thinks about it, the more he starts to wonder if it is real.
He decides to experiment. Now he doesn’t experiment because he wants to see if the notebook’s powers are real or not, he does so because he believes that he is the only one who can bear its power. This makes Light come across as arrogant and all-knowing, which stems from everyone treating him like a god. It is here that he meets Ryuk, the Shinigami who dropped the notebook. Ryuk tells Light that he has dropped the notebook into the human world and that when Light dies, he will be the one to write Light’s name in the Death Note. This may not seem like a big deal as Light does brush it off, but this shows us the brilliance of Death Note. This little line is foreshadowing what is to come.
Light decides that he will use the Death Note as a way to rid the world of evil. Again, this goes back to the god-like way that people had been treating him all along. It also stems from his idea of justice. He has a strong sense of right and wrong. He wants to do what is right and does want to make the world a better place. He believes that he can do so by just killing criminals. He believes that by ridding the world of them, he is making it a better place for all. He repeatedly calls the world “rotten” and claims that he is the “God of a new world.” He is driven by his goals. He doesn’t do anything out of rashness. Yes, he knows what is he doing is murder, but believes that is necessary. After all, he is making the world a better and safer place. Crime rates are down. Everything is going just as he planned.
It also doesn’t help that there are people out there who openly support what he is doing. They even call Kira, his new name, a god, which, again, fits into the worship that he has always had. He is their hero and saviour. He doesn’t stop there though. His quest for justice becomes so twisted and skewed by this that he starts to turn into a monster. He moves away from solely killing criminals to murdering those who get in his way. At this point, the Japanese police, FBI, and L are involved in finding and arresting Kira. Light views them as people who are in his way. They are stopping him from building his perfect world and this is a problem. He starts to write innocent peoples’ names in the Death Note, manipulates them to get what he wants, and when his followers are of no use to him, he drops them. Still, he maintains the belief that he is doing all of this to save the world. He believes that by taking on the burden of writing names in the Death Note he is sacrificing himself to make the world a kind and safer place. Those who get in his way don’t understand what he is attempting to do. Since they don’t understand, then they are villains and, therefore, must be ended.
Though Light does believe that what is doing is for the best, we start to see his character change. He still maintains his belief that he is a god and that he is the only one who can carry out the deed. We see him start to become cold and ruthless. For example, Misa, who worships the ground Light walks on, becomes one of the first victims of this change. Now, Light has not treated her very kindly at all. She has her Death Note, which Light finds out about. He takes advantage of her love for him. He puts in her danger and doesn’t value her. At times, he comes across as abusive. Still, she stays with him because she views him with, once again, a god-like status. Misa isn’t the only victim of Light’s coldness and ruthlessness. We also see it when his sister, Sayu, is kidnapped and held for ransom. Light stops his father from saving her. Why? Well, it will most likely reveal that he is Kira.
Light does not show any kind of remorse for his actions. Again, he has that mindset that he is doing the world a favour. All of this hints that Light is truly not evil. We can sort of see this when he loses the Death Note. We see Light’s intelligence put to good use. Now, of course, it’s for his gain, but we can see the good in him. The only reason he gave up the Death Note was to get the suspicion off of himself. When he loses the Death Note, he loses all memories of it. We see him as compassionate, not wanting to use others for personal gain, and having a strong distaste for killing. He becomes the opposite of what we have seen so far. This shows us what kind of a person Light could have been. He uses what he knows to help others. He maintains this sense of doing what is right and bettering the world. He wants to do what is right and bring justice to the world. Of course, this all changes once he regains the Death Note and his memories. He goes right back to the way he was before, stopping at nothing to keep his god-like status.
November 10, 2022
New Youtube Video: There Was An Old Lady Swallowed A Turkey
New Youtube Video: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Turkey
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/VzWSIKhwt5Y
Description:
Today I am doing a read aloud of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey by Lucille Colandro!
Summary:
The old lady is at it again, and this time she's swallowing a Turkey . . . she's always been quirky!
The old lady is at it again, and this time she's swallowing a Turkey . . . she's always been quirky! You won't believe why this old lady swallowed a turkey, a ball, a hat, a balloon, a boat, some wheels, and a horn of plenty! Read this book and find out why!
Subject: Read Aloud, Children’s Literature, Thanksgiving, Reading
Topic: Thanksgiving, Reading, Read Aloud
Grades: PreK-5th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/VzWSIKhwt5Y
Description:
Today I am doing a read aloud of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey by Lucille Colandro!
Summary:
The old lady is at it again, and this time she's swallowing a Turkey . . . she's always been quirky!
The old lady is at it again, and this time she's swallowing a Turkey . . . she's always been quirky! You won't believe why this old lady swallowed a turkey, a ball, a hat, a balloon, a boat, some wheels, and a horn of plenty! Read this book and find out why!
Subject: Read Aloud, Children’s Literature, Thanksgiving, Reading
Topic: Thanksgiving, Reading, Read Aloud
Grades: PreK-5th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
October 10, 2022
New Youtube Video: Walking Tour of Roscoe Village
New Youtube Video: Vlog: Walking Tour of Roscoe Village
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/zU4257zvib8
Description:
Today I am taking you to Roscoe Village in Coshocton, Ohio! We are going to do a walking tour.
Subject: Vlog, Historical Tour, Walking Tour
Topic: Vlog, Historical Tour
Grades: PreK-12th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/zU4257zvib8
Description:
Today I am taking you to Roscoe Village in Coshocton, Ohio! We are going to do a walking tour.
Subject: Vlog, Historical Tour, Walking Tour
Topic: Vlog, Historical Tour
Grades: PreK-12th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
October 8, 2022
New Medium Article and Free Story: The Forest
Hello everyone! I just posted a new original short story on my Medium and Fictionpress page. It's a spooky little story called The Forest-just in time for Halloween. Below is a sneak peek and links to where you can find it in full.
Sneak Peek:
Trigger Warning: This short story contains content that may be troubling for some readers. This includes, but is not limited to, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and actions.
The dark clouds rolled in, turning dusk to night in a matter of minutes. The forest’s shadows raced out to greet me. No longer were they the welcoming trees and plants that always wrapped me in a warm hug. Now, they were after me. Their long and crooked fingers reached out for me like I was a fresh meal.
I had to get out of here. I had to escape from this place. This place used to welcome me and invite me to come in to explore all it had to offer. I looked around, trying to find some of that, but it was gone. It has left me in this place of darkness.
I ran my hands down my arms, wishing that I had something more on me than my shorts and T-shirts. My skin peddled as the trees shook beneath some unknown force. Their shadows swooped up and down, sidewards. I took a step back, fearing that they would snap in two.
In the distance, something yowled, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand tall. I listened as more joined in with their melody. I had to get out of here. I didn’t know what those things were, but there was a good chance that they could eat me.
I took a small step back as the wind howled. Above me, the pitch black sky turned blue, then became as bright as the day’s light. The light danced jaggedly, like a crack in the foundation. As quickly as it disappeared, a clap of thunder was so loud that it shook my core.
I shivered. The cries of the animals had stopped, but that didn’t mean I was alone. The booms of the undergrowth sent me racing. Every way I turned, there was something. No, there weren’t any glowing eyes, but there was life. Something was stalking me.
I moved forward.
Crack!
My heart skipped a few beats as I looked around. The dazzling display above me lit up the forest. The edges were black, faded enough that I could not make out what was real and what was all in my head. My mind raced.
The outlines moved toward me and reached out for me. No, I would not become like them! I would not become something that only existed when Mother Nature unleashed her fury.
Wide-eyed I rushed toward it, tumbling through the undergrowth. Things whacked me in the face, making my tender skin tear as if it was nothing more than a sheet of paper. The sneering back did not me.
Roots pulled for me, trying to tug me down into their damp underworld. More than once, they almost caught me. I jerked my foot away from them, not slowing my pace down. If I stopped, they would end me. If I stopped, no one would ever know what happened to me.
To my left, the creek urged me on. The water whispered its encouraging words to me. I allowed a small smile to form on my lips. Someone was on my side…Someone cared about me….
No, it wasn’t someone. It was something. There was also the problem of not knowing where the water was taking me. While there was the chance that it was taking me out of the forest and to safety, it could also be leading me to my demise.
I stopped, breathing hard. I could not allow myself to panic like this. I had to believe that there was still hope in the world. The wind died down. See, there it was. This was the break that I needed.
I surveyed the land around me, which wasn’t much. Only when lightning flashed above me was I able to make anything out. The seconds of flashing light gave me nothing. Trees and thick undergrowth surrounded me, giving me nothing to go on.
I kicked a rock or what I supposed was a rock in frustration. Everything was against me.
Thunder crashed again, rocketing my body. My senses seized as I looked for somewhere to hide. I had to get out of here before something bad happened.
The heavens opened up, drenching me in its downpour. I wiped the water away from my eyes, only to have them blocked again by the sheets of rain. It appeared that I could not win.
I placed my hand on my hips as I tried to slow my breathing down. Rain drenched me, making my clothes and shoes weigh me down. If I had to run away from something, there was no way that I could.
I took a couple of steps forward. Mud sloshed, filling my shoes even more. Lighting danced through the sky above, lighting the world up around me.
I wiped more water away from my eyes. I had to focus on what I was doing. I could not allow myself to jump to conclusions. I took a couple of deep breaths. I was in control of my body. Nature did not have anything on me.
I could feel myself calming down. My head became clearer. I could focus on the bigger picture. This was what I needed to happen. I had to still myself instead of going full throttle into everything.
Thundered boomed, shaking me. Everything in my body tried to make me run, but I dug my feet in. The rain let up a little bit. I could now make out the shadows in front of me.
Okay, I needed to use this time to figure out where I was and how I was going to get out of here. After all, this was just a storm and I was just lost in a forest. There was nothing more to it. I had just gotten turned around and could figure out how to get out of this situation.
The shadows were moving. I blinked. No, the shadows were not moving. It was my mind, once again, playing tricks on me. I took a small step forward, the shadows retreated backwards. I nodded. See, that was all there was to it.
I looked around. The shadows were creeping closer to me. I watched as the blackness and rough edges moved closer to me, threatening to wrap around my ankles. I took a couple of steps back, wincing as I stepped on some dead leaves. Their rustling only made the shadows move that much faster.
The wind shrieked with laughter. It was mocking me, trying to show me that it was in complete control of me.
I stepped into a hole and tumbled backwards, landing on the soaking-wet surface with a thud. The shadows swooped around me, darting closer and closer. I crawled backwards, which only made them move faster.
Links to the full story:
Medium: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Fictionpress: https://www.fictionpress.com/s/336492...
Sneak Peek:
Trigger Warning: This short story contains content that may be troubling for some readers. This includes, but is not limited to, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and actions.
The dark clouds rolled in, turning dusk to night in a matter of minutes. The forest’s shadows raced out to greet me. No longer were they the welcoming trees and plants that always wrapped me in a warm hug. Now, they were after me. Their long and crooked fingers reached out for me like I was a fresh meal.
I had to get out of here. I had to escape from this place. This place used to welcome me and invite me to come in to explore all it had to offer. I looked around, trying to find some of that, but it was gone. It has left me in this place of darkness.
I ran my hands down my arms, wishing that I had something more on me than my shorts and T-shirts. My skin peddled as the trees shook beneath some unknown force. Their shadows swooped up and down, sidewards. I took a step back, fearing that they would snap in two.
In the distance, something yowled, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand tall. I listened as more joined in with their melody. I had to get out of here. I didn’t know what those things were, but there was a good chance that they could eat me.
I took a small step back as the wind howled. Above me, the pitch black sky turned blue, then became as bright as the day’s light. The light danced jaggedly, like a crack in the foundation. As quickly as it disappeared, a clap of thunder was so loud that it shook my core.
I shivered. The cries of the animals had stopped, but that didn’t mean I was alone. The booms of the undergrowth sent me racing. Every way I turned, there was something. No, there weren’t any glowing eyes, but there was life. Something was stalking me.
I moved forward.
Crack!
My heart skipped a few beats as I looked around. The dazzling display above me lit up the forest. The edges were black, faded enough that I could not make out what was real and what was all in my head. My mind raced.
The outlines moved toward me and reached out for me. No, I would not become like them! I would not become something that only existed when Mother Nature unleashed her fury.
Wide-eyed I rushed toward it, tumbling through the undergrowth. Things whacked me in the face, making my tender skin tear as if it was nothing more than a sheet of paper. The sneering back did not me.
Roots pulled for me, trying to tug me down into their damp underworld. More than once, they almost caught me. I jerked my foot away from them, not slowing my pace down. If I stopped, they would end me. If I stopped, no one would ever know what happened to me.
To my left, the creek urged me on. The water whispered its encouraging words to me. I allowed a small smile to form on my lips. Someone was on my side…Someone cared about me….
No, it wasn’t someone. It was something. There was also the problem of not knowing where the water was taking me. While there was the chance that it was taking me out of the forest and to safety, it could also be leading me to my demise.
I stopped, breathing hard. I could not allow myself to panic like this. I had to believe that there was still hope in the world. The wind died down. See, there it was. This was the break that I needed.
I surveyed the land around me, which wasn’t much. Only when lightning flashed above me was I able to make anything out. The seconds of flashing light gave me nothing. Trees and thick undergrowth surrounded me, giving me nothing to go on.
I kicked a rock or what I supposed was a rock in frustration. Everything was against me.
Thunder crashed again, rocketing my body. My senses seized as I looked for somewhere to hide. I had to get out of here before something bad happened.
The heavens opened up, drenching me in its downpour. I wiped the water away from my eyes, only to have them blocked again by the sheets of rain. It appeared that I could not win.
I placed my hand on my hips as I tried to slow my breathing down. Rain drenched me, making my clothes and shoes weigh me down. If I had to run away from something, there was no way that I could.
I took a couple of steps forward. Mud sloshed, filling my shoes even more. Lighting danced through the sky above, lighting the world up around me.
I wiped more water away from my eyes. I had to focus on what I was doing. I could not allow myself to jump to conclusions. I took a couple of deep breaths. I was in control of my body. Nature did not have anything on me.
I could feel myself calming down. My head became clearer. I could focus on the bigger picture. This was what I needed to happen. I had to still myself instead of going full throttle into everything.
Thundered boomed, shaking me. Everything in my body tried to make me run, but I dug my feet in. The rain let up a little bit. I could now make out the shadows in front of me.
Okay, I needed to use this time to figure out where I was and how I was going to get out of here. After all, this was just a storm and I was just lost in a forest. There was nothing more to it. I had just gotten turned around and could figure out how to get out of this situation.
The shadows were moving. I blinked. No, the shadows were not moving. It was my mind, once again, playing tricks on me. I took a small step forward, the shadows retreated backwards. I nodded. See, that was all there was to it.
I looked around. The shadows were creeping closer to me. I watched as the blackness and rough edges moved closer to me, threatening to wrap around my ankles. I took a couple of steps back, wincing as I stepped on some dead leaves. Their rustling only made the shadows move that much faster.
The wind shrieked with laughter. It was mocking me, trying to show me that it was in complete control of me.
I stepped into a hole and tumbled backwards, landing on the soaking-wet surface with a thud. The shadows swooped around me, darting closer and closer. I crawled backwards, which only made them move faster.
Links to the full story:
Medium: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Fictionpress: https://www.fictionpress.com/s/336492...
September 9, 2022
New Youtube Video: Corduroy Read Aloud
New Youtube Video: Corduroy Read Aloud (Don Freeman)
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/_wlLu5wvckU
Description:
Today I am doing a read aloud of Corduroy by Don Freeman.
Summary:
Corduroy has been on the department store shelf for a long time...
Yet as soon as Lisa sees him, she knows that he's the bear she's always wanted. Her mother, though, thinks he's a little shopworn—he's even missing a button! Still, Corduroy knows that with a bit of work he can tidy himself up and be just the bear for Lisa. And where better to start than with a quick search through the department store for a new button!
Corduroy, with his unaffected simplicity and childlike emotion, is one of the best-loved bears in children's books. His story has become an irresistible childhood classic, as basic and appealing as a small bear's desire for a home and a friend and the perfect fulfillment found in the devotion of a young girl.
Don Freeman was born in San Diego, California, and moved to New York City to study art, making his living as a jazz trumpeter. With this loss of his trumpet on a subway train, Mr. Freeman turned his talents to art full-time. In the 1940s he began writing and illustrating children's books; his many popular titles include Beady Bear, Dandelion, Mop Top, Norman the Doorman, and his follow-up to Corduroy, A Pocket For Corduroy. At the time of his death in 1978, the Los Angeles Times wrote: "Ingeniousness and humor, theatricality and commonality, humanity and beauty: these elements survive in his picture books."
Edition MSRP: U.S. $16⁹⁹ / CAN. $21⁰⁰ (ISBN 978-0-670-24133-0)
Reinforced Binding. Age Group: 3-8.
Summary:
Subject: Read Aloud, Children’s Literature, Reading
Topic: Read Aloud, Children’s Literature, Reading
Grades: PreK-5th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/_wlLu5wvckU
Description:
Today I am doing a read aloud of Corduroy by Don Freeman.
Summary:
Corduroy has been on the department store shelf for a long time...
Yet as soon as Lisa sees him, she knows that he's the bear she's always wanted. Her mother, though, thinks he's a little shopworn—he's even missing a button! Still, Corduroy knows that with a bit of work he can tidy himself up and be just the bear for Lisa. And where better to start than with a quick search through the department store for a new button!
Corduroy, with his unaffected simplicity and childlike emotion, is one of the best-loved bears in children's books. His story has become an irresistible childhood classic, as basic and appealing as a small bear's desire for a home and a friend and the perfect fulfillment found in the devotion of a young girl.
Don Freeman was born in San Diego, California, and moved to New York City to study art, making his living as a jazz trumpeter. With this loss of his trumpet on a subway train, Mr. Freeman turned his talents to art full-time. In the 1940s he began writing and illustrating children's books; his many popular titles include Beady Bear, Dandelion, Mop Top, Norman the Doorman, and his follow-up to Corduroy, A Pocket For Corduroy. At the time of his death in 1978, the Los Angeles Times wrote: "Ingeniousness and humor, theatricality and commonality, humanity and beauty: these elements survive in his picture books."
Edition MSRP: U.S. $16⁹⁹ / CAN. $21⁰⁰ (ISBN 978-0-670-24133-0)
Reinforced Binding. Age Group: 3-8.
Summary:
Subject: Read Aloud, Children’s Literature, Reading
Topic: Read Aloud, Children’s Literature, Reading
Grades: PreK-5th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
September 4, 2022
New Medium Article: Books of Babel: Fantasy Genius or Fantasy Flop?
Hello everyone! I just posted a new article on my Medium page. Below is a sneak peek of the article, as well as links to where you can read the full article.
Josiah Bancroft’s Books of Babel have taken the fantasy world by storm. Are these books worth the hype? Are they the work of a genius? Are they another overhyped fantasy series?
Full Article Link: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
Josiah Bancroft’s Books of Babel series has taken the fantasy world by storm. Originally self-published in 2013, this word-of-mouth series has become one of the most popular fantasy series in recent years. This originally self-published series captivated the world. In 2016, the first book, Senlin Ascends, gained attention during the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO) competition. Afterward series gained even more attention when popular fantasy author, Mark Lawrence, praised the books on his social media platforms. Senlin Ascends was also praised by book reviewers and booktubers alike. The series would eventually be acquired by Orbit Books.
This all begs the question as to if the Books of Babel are worth the hype. I have just recently completed the series and have been thinking about this very topic. Are the books deserving of all of this attention? Are they as good as what people make them out to be? I will say both yes and no. While the books are very well put together and tell a story unlike anything that I have ever read, they are not without their flaws. So, are the books worth the hype? Are they as good as what the fantasy world makes them out to be? Is this a series that is going to go down as the best fantasy series ever? Well, I think that is all going to come down to your taste.
If you haven’t read the series and don’t wish to be spoiled, then I suggest you stop reading now.
The first book, Senlin Ascends, has the hook that I look for when it comes to books. We open with a very interesting premise. The Tower of Babel not only exists but is still standing and people can visit it. The Tower itself is clouded in mystery and wonder as no one has ever managed to reach the top of it. People can only wonder and marvel as to what could be in those upper levels. At the same time, the Tower is presented as a place of joy and excitement with each level offering something new. Much of what the Tower has to offer can only be found within its prodigious walls. People can enter the Tower and explore these layers. This is what our main character, Thomas Senlin, is there to do. Throughout his life, he has studied the Tower and has dreamed of taking in all of its glory himself. To him, it seems like the perfect honeymoon spot. He and his wife, Marya, arrive at the Tower, ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
It is, in fact, the adventure of a lifetime.
Shortly after reaching, their destination, Marya and Senlin become separated. This separation sets off the series. Desperately trying to find his wife, Senlin goes months upon months searching at the marketplace outside the Tower for his wife. This isn’t the first time people have gotten separated this way here. With all of the crowds and excitement surrounding the Tower, it is pretty commonplace for something like this to happen. However, things like this just simply do not happen to Senlin. It is here that we start to see just how sheltered Senlin’s character is. He is a teacher, a headmaster, the guy who always has his nose in a book. While he has come seeking adventure, this is not the kind of adventure that he had in mind. He doesn’t know what to do and this allows certain people to take advantage of him. Seeing that he has no other choice, he starts to look toward the Tower and wonders if his wife could have entered without him and is waiting somewhere there. He is a man who has been forced into action to save, in his mind, a damsel in distress.
At first, this is what I thought the series was going to be about. It was just simply going to be about a husband, who is forced to do things that he normally wouldn’t, to save his wife. I didn’t expect anything else from it.
However, the deeper we get into the series and the Tower, we start to realize that there is going to be more to it than that. After all, a series does not become popular based on something as simple and common as a husband trying to save a wife. In this day and age, books like this just do not sell. Therefore, I should have known that there was going to be more to the story than that. I should have known that we were going to be more than this basic story idea and concept.
As we enter the Tower of Babel, we quickly realize that all of the glory and glamour that we know about the tower is just a mask. It’s hiding the hard truth about what the Tower is really like. Behind all of the glitter and glamour, we see that things are, in fact, the opposite of what they appear. While all of the stories are about how amazing and brilliant the Tower is, we see a lot of the injustices that go along with each ringdom or level. Each ringdom is home to a certain marvel, a certain wonder, or theme. Think of each level as being almost like a themed party. Behind all of this, we see just how dark and dangerous it is. We see how people who don’t follow the rules are branded, prisoned, fined, and could even come up missing. We see how what appears to be a light tone turns out to be dark. We see how those carrying out these dark deeds do so without almost their heart on their sleeve-for lack of a better tone.
I personally really enjoyed seeing how all of the different ringdoms worked. I love how each one takes on this different and unique culture. It’s almost like each layer is its own country with its own identity. I liked how one ringdom could have this party-like feeling, but another could be so dark and depressing. For example, there is a ringdom that is all about plays and playacting. To those who are not familiar with the ringdom, this seems like a great place to see a play. However, once you arrive at the ringdom, you come to realize that while this is a great place to see a play and some amazing acting, you quickly learn that you are a part of the play, with a certain role to play and you cannot get out of playing this role. You must play the role no matter what the cost. At first, the characters who frequent this ringdom make this come across as almost being like a murder mystery dinner party, but it is more than that. Some actors take the role they have been assigned very seriously and start to act like the show they are putting on is, in fact, real. This is one of the first cases in which we start to see that while the ringdoms do have this glamour, what is presented to the outside world isn’t true. It is one of the first cases that makes Senlin stop and think that what he knows about the Tower may not be right. By putting sequences like this in the books, it allows readers to gain some more insight into the world that we are looking at. It allows us to almost take away the childlike view of the Tower and start to see the world in an all-new light. It also makes the use of the ringdoms a lot more memorable and individualized. You see, it gives them character and made them memorable. Add into the backdrop of the ringdoms, a mixture of steampunk and fantasy, which always makes for a fun time in my book. I would not have minded had the author spent more time with each of the ringdoms.
As with other fantasy novels, we do see the world expand. I thought that this was going to be done with each of the ringdom. While the author does do this, we see much of the expansion of the world done through the characters. Throughout the series, we are introduced to an array of different characters. Like with the ringdoms, each of these characters brings something new to the books. At first, I enjoyed all of the characters we were getting to meet. I thought they added a lot of insight and depth to the series. However, in later books, we start to see these characters become point of view characters and start to venture away from the main group. I found Senlin’s point of view to be the most interesting and compelling.
Josiah Bancroft’s Books of Babel have taken the fantasy world by storm. Are these books worth the hype? Are they the work of a genius? Are they another overhyped fantasy series?
Full Article Link: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
Josiah Bancroft’s Books of Babel series has taken the fantasy world by storm. Originally self-published in 2013, this word-of-mouth series has become one of the most popular fantasy series in recent years. This originally self-published series captivated the world. In 2016, the first book, Senlin Ascends, gained attention during the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO) competition. Afterward series gained even more attention when popular fantasy author, Mark Lawrence, praised the books on his social media platforms. Senlin Ascends was also praised by book reviewers and booktubers alike. The series would eventually be acquired by Orbit Books.
This all begs the question as to if the Books of Babel are worth the hype. I have just recently completed the series and have been thinking about this very topic. Are the books deserving of all of this attention? Are they as good as what people make them out to be? I will say both yes and no. While the books are very well put together and tell a story unlike anything that I have ever read, they are not without their flaws. So, are the books worth the hype? Are they as good as what the fantasy world makes them out to be? Is this a series that is going to go down as the best fantasy series ever? Well, I think that is all going to come down to your taste.
If you haven’t read the series and don’t wish to be spoiled, then I suggest you stop reading now.
The first book, Senlin Ascends, has the hook that I look for when it comes to books. We open with a very interesting premise. The Tower of Babel not only exists but is still standing and people can visit it. The Tower itself is clouded in mystery and wonder as no one has ever managed to reach the top of it. People can only wonder and marvel as to what could be in those upper levels. At the same time, the Tower is presented as a place of joy and excitement with each level offering something new. Much of what the Tower has to offer can only be found within its prodigious walls. People can enter the Tower and explore these layers. This is what our main character, Thomas Senlin, is there to do. Throughout his life, he has studied the Tower and has dreamed of taking in all of its glory himself. To him, it seems like the perfect honeymoon spot. He and his wife, Marya, arrive at the Tower, ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
It is, in fact, the adventure of a lifetime.
Shortly after reaching, their destination, Marya and Senlin become separated. This separation sets off the series. Desperately trying to find his wife, Senlin goes months upon months searching at the marketplace outside the Tower for his wife. This isn’t the first time people have gotten separated this way here. With all of the crowds and excitement surrounding the Tower, it is pretty commonplace for something like this to happen. However, things like this just simply do not happen to Senlin. It is here that we start to see just how sheltered Senlin’s character is. He is a teacher, a headmaster, the guy who always has his nose in a book. While he has come seeking adventure, this is not the kind of adventure that he had in mind. He doesn’t know what to do and this allows certain people to take advantage of him. Seeing that he has no other choice, he starts to look toward the Tower and wonders if his wife could have entered without him and is waiting somewhere there. He is a man who has been forced into action to save, in his mind, a damsel in distress.
At first, this is what I thought the series was going to be about. It was just simply going to be about a husband, who is forced to do things that he normally wouldn’t, to save his wife. I didn’t expect anything else from it.
However, the deeper we get into the series and the Tower, we start to realize that there is going to be more to it than that. After all, a series does not become popular based on something as simple and common as a husband trying to save a wife. In this day and age, books like this just do not sell. Therefore, I should have known that there was going to be more to the story than that. I should have known that we were going to be more than this basic story idea and concept.
As we enter the Tower of Babel, we quickly realize that all of the glory and glamour that we know about the tower is just a mask. It’s hiding the hard truth about what the Tower is really like. Behind all of the glitter and glamour, we see that things are, in fact, the opposite of what they appear. While all of the stories are about how amazing and brilliant the Tower is, we see a lot of the injustices that go along with each ringdom or level. Each ringdom is home to a certain marvel, a certain wonder, or theme. Think of each level as being almost like a themed party. Behind all of this, we see just how dark and dangerous it is. We see how people who don’t follow the rules are branded, prisoned, fined, and could even come up missing. We see how what appears to be a light tone turns out to be dark. We see how those carrying out these dark deeds do so without almost their heart on their sleeve-for lack of a better tone.
I personally really enjoyed seeing how all of the different ringdoms worked. I love how each one takes on this different and unique culture. It’s almost like each layer is its own country with its own identity. I liked how one ringdom could have this party-like feeling, but another could be so dark and depressing. For example, there is a ringdom that is all about plays and playacting. To those who are not familiar with the ringdom, this seems like a great place to see a play. However, once you arrive at the ringdom, you come to realize that while this is a great place to see a play and some amazing acting, you quickly learn that you are a part of the play, with a certain role to play and you cannot get out of playing this role. You must play the role no matter what the cost. At first, the characters who frequent this ringdom make this come across as almost being like a murder mystery dinner party, but it is more than that. Some actors take the role they have been assigned very seriously and start to act like the show they are putting on is, in fact, real. This is one of the first cases in which we start to see that while the ringdoms do have this glamour, what is presented to the outside world isn’t true. It is one of the first cases that makes Senlin stop and think that what he knows about the Tower may not be right. By putting sequences like this in the books, it allows readers to gain some more insight into the world that we are looking at. It allows us to almost take away the childlike view of the Tower and start to see the world in an all-new light. It also makes the use of the ringdoms a lot more memorable and individualized. You see, it gives them character and made them memorable. Add into the backdrop of the ringdoms, a mixture of steampunk and fantasy, which always makes for a fun time in my book. I would not have minded had the author spent more time with each of the ringdoms.
As with other fantasy novels, we do see the world expand. I thought that this was going to be done with each of the ringdom. While the author does do this, we see much of the expansion of the world done through the characters. Throughout the series, we are introduced to an array of different characters. Like with the ringdoms, each of these characters brings something new to the books. At first, I enjoyed all of the characters we were getting to meet. I thought they added a lot of insight and depth to the series. However, in later books, we start to see these characters become point of view characters and start to venture away from the main group. I found Senlin’s point of view to be the most interesting and compelling.
August 8, 2022
New Youtube Video: Earth's Oceans
New Youtube Video: Earth’s Oceans-Earth Science and Oceanography Video
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/_wlLu5wvckU
Description:
Today I am bringing you a virtual science lesson on Oceanography and all things ocean! This short video lesson explores marine biology, oceanography, animals, plants, what an ocean is, and parts of the ocean.
This video contains product placement for Algonquin Young Readers, Algonquin Books, and Chronos Books.
Summary:
Subject: Oceanography, Marine Biology, Earth Science, Biology, Life Science
Topic: Oceans, Earth’s Waters, Biology, Life Science,
Grades: 5th-12th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/_wlLu5wvckU
Description:
Today I am bringing you a virtual science lesson on Oceanography and all things ocean! This short video lesson explores marine biology, oceanography, animals, plants, what an ocean is, and parts of the ocean.
This video contains product placement for Algonquin Young Readers, Algonquin Books, and Chronos Books.
Summary:
Subject: Oceanography, Marine Biology, Earth Science, Biology, Life Science
Topic: Oceans, Earth’s Waters, Biology, Life Science,
Grades: 5th-12th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
