“Every poem tells a story, and every poem is in some way about love,” says Rennie McQuilkin, author, teacher, publisher and founder of the prestigious Sunken Garden Poetry Festival at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut.

In light of the shocking news of Angelina Jolie’s double mastectomy, a lot of women are probably thinking about getting their mammograms a little earlier this year.

Ms. Jolie recently announced in a New York Times op-ed article that she underwent a preventive double mastectomy after learning that she carries a mutation of the BRCA1 gene, which increases her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

“Every poem tells a story, and every poem is in some way about love,” says Rennie McQuilkin, author, teacher, publisher and founder of the prestigious Sunken Garden Poetry Festival at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut.

This whole Merida makeover thing has me a little upset. I do not see what the big deal is if Disney feels like changing her appearence. They created her, they can change her. It is my job, as my daughter's mother, to teach her confidence in her appearance and the difference between what the media perceives verses our real lives. I set the example for my daughter. I am in control of what she watches or does not watch. I am raising her, not Disney, not the school. It is up to me to show her by example how a woman should look, dress and present herself.

Randy Susan Meyers latest, The Comfort of Lies, is a very gripping novel.  She explores how children become collateral damage arising from family secrets and relationships.  The story is how the lives of three families collide and intersect surrounding a child, Savannah, who is the heart of the story.

This is such a big moment for me! I'm offering one of my favorite children's chapter books, Madison and GA (My Guardian Angel) The Tale of the Slimy Spitball in the KidLit Book May Giveaway. I hope you will stop by and ENTER!

Iron Man 3 is the newest edition in this exciting superhero series. Rated PG-13 for intense and somewhat violent scenes, this film proves that a sequel can more than live up to it's predecessors. Fifteen-year-old KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven D. was extremely impressed with the action and says the “special effects, are outstanding and I absolutely love all of the different suits that Tony has created in this movie.” Equally impressed with the suits and special effects, 12-year-old KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Keefer B.

 "The power of music can break barriers and build a friendship." This is a beautiful statement by Jailene A., 12-year-old KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, after seeing the animated film "Monster in Paris." Rated PG for some action violence involving gunplay and mild rude humor, this film is set in the year 1910 in Paris, and the story begins by documenting the flooding of the River Seine that year. With a lovely message, amusing characters and interesting story line, this animated film is perfect for the whole family. Available now on DVD.

My husband, the Hollywood writer and movie guru, coined this catchy phrase, Oscar Movie Monday, and it just stuck.  He made it a point to ensure we spent quality time together on a regular basis, so one of his clever ideas was that on the first Monday of every month we would watch an Oscar nominated film.  So, to pay tribute to my hubby’s wonderful idea, on the first Monday of each month I will share an Oscar nominated movie that I think all mom’s will appreciate, whether it be for the laughs, or the tears or the memorable moments moms will value forever.