About
I am a mother of four and a grandmother of ten. I have written eleven published rhymed children’s stories and two poetry books which have won 90 awards. Peter and the Whimper-Whineys, The Magic Word, Santa's Birthday Gift, Gimme-Jimmy. Manner-Man, My Fingerpaint Masterpiece, Mice & Spiders & Webs...Oh My!. The Golden Rule, My Little Angel, A Penny for Your Thougts, A Dime is a Sign, David's ADHD and Peter and the Whimper-Whineys Coloring Book which has just been released. I also have written seven published and internationally performed musical plays for elementary school children. I love to write. My friends and family ask me if I think in rhyme and meter, and I have to admit that sometimes this is true! A former teacher, all of my books are in rhyme and all try to teach something like good manners and caring for others. I have had a varied career. I grew up in the Willard Hotel in Washington DC (my Dad was the manager) and lived in the DC area where I was a teacher and coach for ten years; and then became a professional newspaper sports photographer and columnist for several years. Later, I became a Dinner Theatre Company Stage Manager, and finally became a Business Administrator. My husband and celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary in June! We are now retired, and we travel in our RV from the east coast to the west coast each year to spend time with our children and grandchildren... sharing my books along the way!
Description
<p>It’s hard to be committed to anyone when you don’t know whom to trust.</p><p>Alexis Toles, a former FBI agent turned undercover CIA agent, is quickly finding that out in Nancy Ann Healy’s newest political thriller, <i>Commitment</i>.</p><p>Alex embeds in a secret organization of intelligence operatives known as The Collaborative. Its partners include operatives from the CIA, National Security Agency, FBI, US Department of Defense, and an entanglement of foreign intelligence agencies.</p><p>It’s about half a year after the death of President John Merrow, a friend and someone she respected. But she remains committed to overthrowing The Collaborative as she works with a onetime adversary who believes the organization’s involved in the president’s death.</p><p>Meanwhile Alex; her wife, Cassidy O’Brien; and Cassidy’s son try hard to live as a family but must first overcome personal struggles, including a nasty custody battle with Cassidy’s ex-husband, Congressman Christopher O’Brien. The family has their own share of secrets that, if unleashed, could affect their hopes for the future.</p><p>There’s no place to turn without discovering people who are not who they claim to be. That can’t stop Alex. She must remain committed to the cause, both at home and as she works against The Collaborative.</p>
Story Behind The Book
Children need to learn to say Please and Thank-you, and learn consideration for others! All children need to learn the magic word!
Reviews
<p align="left"><font size="3">Reviewed by Max Aures (age 4.5) and Mom for Reader Views (5/11) </font></p>
<p>Max‟s comments: </p>
<p>"In the beginning of the book, the girl Elisabeth wasn‟t a very nice girl. She did a lot of naughty things and it says that she never said „please‟ or „thank you.‟ Lots of people didn‟t want to play with her. She didn‟t share things. I wouldn‟t want to play with her either. </p>
<p>When she had a party no one wanted to come. They didn‟t like her very much. Then, her mom told her to start saying „please‟ and „thank you.‟ </p>
<p>My favorite part of the book was when she said „please‟ at school. I think those kids almost fell over when she said that because she never does!" </p>
<p>Parent‟s comments: </p>
<p>"The Magic Word" is a wonderful book to teach young children the importance of having good manners. Cannon uses the main character to illustrate what happens when good manners are not exercised and then shows how things change when manners are used. My child was able to relate to the characters and we really enjoyed the lesson taught in the book. </p>
