A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Love is What Life’s All About!

Aside

Love is What Life’s all about!
by Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

share-the-love-of-reading-bette-reading-with-sam-2017It’s February—LOVE MONTH!  That’s what I love to call it. With Valentine’s Day celebrated around the world on February 14th, it’s the ideal month to set aside some time to dwell on the meaning of love in our own lives.

Love of God and the magnificent world He’s created for us to enjoy, love of family, love of our neighbors (everyone outside of our families). Love is what we’ve been called to do—that’s right—love is a verb, an action word. Do we sometimes fall short? Sure, as humans we all miss the mark at times. But that doesn’t confine us to loving less; it inspires us to love more.

Reading with kids is one way we can demonstrate our love to the younger generation.  In fact, older kids love to be read to as well. Reading together gives us a chance to bridge the generation gap and discuss real life issues, allowing time for adults to listen to what kids have to say on crucial issues that affect us all. No kids around to share the love with? No problem. Simply contact your local school or library and let them know you’re ready to share the love of reading with the kids. They’re sure to feel the love and I promise, you’ll feel it too!

Whether writing for children or adults, the theme of love somehow always seeps its way into heart of the story.  In fact, when I really take time to reflect upon it, love is often what inspires the book, the story or the poem. Love really is what life’s all about. When we follow our passions and encourage those around us to follow theirs—that’s love. When our pages help to turn someone’s hurt or apathy into understanding—that’s love. When a verse we’ve penned discloses our Creator’s unconditional love for us—that’s love. Let’s do our best to share the love!

About the ‘Love’ in Bette’s Books

inspired-by-nature-human-nature-2-bas-books

  • In AMAZING MATIDA (Children’s Picture Book/ages 4-11), a frustrated Monarch caterpillar who is ready to give up on her dreams is inspired to keep trying to find her wings. But she’s not alone, Matilda has friends to teach her about patience and persistence by encouraging her. Now, that’s what I call love.
  • In PURE TRASH (Short Story/Historical Fiction/Ages 10-Adult), two young brothers are off on a Saturday bicycling adventure when one gets injured. The eldest boy, Shawn Daniels, seeks help for his brother from a wealthy neighbor who grudgingly does her good deed leaves a lasting impression upon the children. Brotherly love and bigotry leave readers to decide on their own about what love really is and what love is not.
  • In DOG BONE SOUP (Coming-of-age Fiction/Novel set in 1950s & 60s New England/Ages 11-Adult), Shawn Daniels tells his own story—the trials and triumphs of growing up poor in an affluent rural New England town. Though many of the town’s people, young and old, see Shawn as a poor boy they disregard or try to humiliate, there are many who encourage and support him in both words and actions. Adventure abounds in this coming of age novel readers of all ages will long remember as they discover for themselves what love really is all about.
  • Inspired by and for the love of kids and the love of learning, I’ve written, illustrated and used The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too! in my own classroom with students from 4th through 8th grade. The Zoo… is a great resource for integrating research and creative writing into a math and/or science curriculum. One of the project ideas included in the book is for the kids to create their own tangram animals to add to The Zoo… Then, to research their creature creations and write their own rhyming riddles. Readers and colleagues agree: “At home or in the classroom—it’s hands-on learning that’s creative and loaded with fun for everyone”—The Tangram Zoo.

Take a “Look Inside” all of Bette’s books at http://viewauthor.at/BetteAStevens

Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

“A writer inspired by nature and human nature!”

Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys reading, writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies—an endangered species (and for milkweed, the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).

If you enjoyed this post, I invite you to share it on your media sites.

Happy love month!
Bette A. Stevens

P.S. Up for a #Loveuary Blog Challenge? Visit Ritu’s blog https://butismileanyway.com/2017/01/31/loveuary❤-a-prompt-list-of-sorts/ and have a wonderful time sharing the LOVE all month long. ~Bette

[Explore Bette’s Blog]

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Written

on 02/01/2017

Comments on: "Love is What Life’s All About!" (43)

  1. None of us… | Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author said:
    03/06/2017 at 10:18 am

    […] Love is what life’s all about… ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author http://www.4writersandreaders.com […]

    Like

  2. oldpoet56 said:
    02/19/2017 at 8:12 pm

    You have a very good site, you are a very good read.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. mommynificent said:
    02/15/2017 at 9:44 pm

    I like how you brought out the theme of love from each of your books! Thanks for linking this up at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Bernadette said:
    02/14/2017 at 10:51 am

    Sharing a love for reading with a child is one of the best ways to make a soul connection. Thanks for taking the time to join us at the Salon.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Claremary P. Sweeney said:
    02/09/2017 at 5:53 pm

    Bette. This certainly is “Love Month” and I love that you stopped by my blog. Do you know that you are my 500 WP Follower if the WP Happiness Engineers are to be believed? We are at the end of our first major snow storm of 2017 and have survived so far. I hope you did not fare poorly up in Maine. Stay warm. Clare

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      02/09/2017 at 6:16 pm

      Hi, Clare. Our blizzard should be winding down before midnight. So far, ten inches of snow that blowing around everywhere. We’re looking forward to spring, although the landscape is sure to be magical in the morning after this storm. Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. I’m glad we’ve connected, my new friend! 🙂 /xo

      Liked by 1 person

  6. How to Characterize Love in Your Writing | Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author said:
    02/09/2017 at 1:13 pm

    […] GREAT TIPS & RESOURCE LINKS… Happy Love Month & Happy Writing! ~Bette A. Stevens http://www.4writersandreaders.com […]

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Jacqui Murray said:
    02/09/2017 at 11:21 am

    Great post, Bette. If kids learn nothing else, it should be reading. It affects so much else in their lives.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. AuthorJoePerroneJr said:
    02/06/2017 at 8:48 pm

    Lovely message, Bette. I read about a dozen books with my granddaughter on New Year’s Eve, and am looking forward to reading your book (Amazing Matilda) to her in the very near future. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  9. macjam47 said:
    02/06/2017 at 6:09 pm

    This is a wonderful post, Bette. Happy love month to you! ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Micki Peluso said:
    02/04/2017 at 9:46 pm

    Happy belated Anniversary!! And many more to come.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Micki Peluso said:
    02/04/2017 at 12:03 am

    Sorry so late. Really rough week. I love your post on love. I cannot imagine my world without it. Love of God, parents, children, love partners, animals —- what is life without love? My anniversary of over 50 years falls on February 11th, almost on Valentine’s Day. Thanks for a wonderful read. Love, Micki

    Liked by 3 people

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      02/04/2017 at 12:30 pm

      Thanks so much for the visit…sure wish we could have one in the real world. Love is what it’s all about, Micki. You’re in my thoughts and prayers every day, dear friend. Dan and I celebrated our 51st in December. Wishing you and Butch a Very Happy Anniversary and abundant blessings in your new year together. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  12. balroop2013 said:
    02/03/2017 at 11:04 pm

    Love your reflections Bette. Love for books keeps us closer to each other…be it friends, children or grandchildren! It is a blessing to be surrounded by books and kids!
    Happy Love month!

    Liked by 3 people

  13. ~Mar said:
    02/03/2017 at 10:45 am

    Such a lovely post, Bette! And so inspiring!! Appreciate you sharing with us. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  14. D. Wallace Peach said:
    02/02/2017 at 8:47 pm

    Love-ly post, Bette. Reading to children certainly is a way to show love. Happy Love Month!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Ritu said:
    02/02/2017 at 12:53 pm

    Such true thoughts . I ❤it!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. Elaine Cougler said:
    02/02/2017 at 9:35 am

    Lovely! I gave you some sharing love and some tweeting love. Happy Love Month!

    Liked by 3 people

  17. Miss Gentileschi said:
    02/02/2017 at 8:33 am

    Love the idea of celebrating love the whole month instead of just on Valentine´s day! Happy love month to you, Bette!!! 🙂 XOXOXO

    Liked by 3 people

  18. Norah said:
    02/02/2017 at 7:08 am

    I totally agree with you, Bette. Reading is very important, but perhaps not as important as love – almost though! What a great suggestion for people to contact their libraries or local schools to read to children. It is such a joyous activity.

    Liked by 4 people

  19. Annika Perry said:
    02/02/2017 at 4:33 am

    Bette, I love the idea of February being a celebration of Love! Not only Valentine’s but my mother’s birthday too!! My best friend and closest confidante! Wishing you a very special February! ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      02/02/2017 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks, Annika. My husband’s birthday is February 17 and I’m thankful for his love every day. Missing my Mama, but you’ve given me LOVE-ly thoughts to dwell upon the wonderful years we had together too. Have a beautiful month and a cherished Happy Birthday with your dear mother. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Marilyn Armstrong said:
    02/02/2017 at 12:19 am

    Love your books and stories. Really LOVE them.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. Marie Hunter Atwood said:
    02/01/2017 at 10:30 pm

    ..Very nice piece.I had never heard it called ‘love month’. Is that because of valentine’s
    day?

    Liked by 3 people

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      02/02/2017 at 11:20 am

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Marie. You’re right on love’s path…Valentines remind us of love. It’s a great month to spread the love around and kick off a year filled with its blessings. Sending hugs and love to you! 🙂 ❤

      Like

      • Marie Hunter Atwood said:
        02/02/2017 at 10:17 pm

        And thanks with love to you.I will send you one of my love poems from my other writing blog. It is titled Love is a Circle. It will be a few minutes, but watch for it. Best wishes for the New Year!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Marie Hunter Atwood said:
        02/02/2017 at 11:34 pm

        Sorry it took me so long. It is posssible I’ve sent this to you before. If so I apologize.

        Spirituality is a Circle
        The essence of life is love
        The essence of love is respect
        The essence of respect is humility
        The essence of humility is submission
        The essence of submission is self-respect
        The essence of self-respect is knowledge
        The essence of knowledge is desire
        The essence of desire is seeking
        The essence of seeking is obedience
        The essence of obedience is love.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Linda Mims said:
    02/01/2017 at 7:21 pm

    Happy Love month, Bette!

    Liked by 3 people

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