Papa's Pearls {A Review}

A jewel of a book that shares some of life's lessons

Papa's Pearls by Diane Flynn Keith

The Essentials - What you need to know

•  Papa's Pearls, A Father's Gift of Love and Wisdom to His Children and Grandchildren. 
• A thin, softbound book that is easy to read with ample story and wisdom.
• $14.97

I've decided to write my review as a letter to the author. It just seemed right after reading this fantastic book.

The Review

Dear Mrs. Flynn Keith,

I've just finished your book, Papa's Pearls.  I am delighted.  It was easy to read and pulled me in at the first chapter.  I am so glad that you included a picture of your Papa on the dedication page.  When I first picked up the book it was just a picture.  By the time I finished the book he was a person and I am glad to know his face as well as his character.  The book is as much biography as it is how to live because, I think, your Papa showed how to live by living and you tell his story beautifully.

I was drawn in the first chapter by the story of a depression era kid and the lessons he learned.  Some of the description in the story reminded me vividly my husband's Grandpa who is still telling stories of his youth at age 96.  I love that you do not camp on the pearls of wisdom that are at the top of each chapter, rather you draw them out, telling the story of the saying, how he used it and how it was a force in your Papa's life. 

As a business woman myself, I am always on the lookout for shrewd advice from successful people on how to run mine.  I poured over the sections where you dealt with your Papa's business practices and advice.  It made me turn inward to examine my own attitudes and practices.  So many of the pearls were ones to think about.  I like that they were not cliche, but rather truly nuggets of wisdom that prompted thought and reflection.

The best thing about this book is how you put your Papa's positive attitude and love front and center.  My favorite pearl of the book is "I love you. You know that, right?" It reminded me that I need to verbalize my love for my own children.  All of the wonderful references in the book are ones to plant and let grow.  I was especially impressed how positive thinking, prevalent in so many of the pearls of wisdom, had an impact on your father's life.  Importantly he did not spend his life wishing and dream, but worked really hard.  

This books has so many possible applications for homeschool and I appreciate that you are a homeschool mom.  Each chapter contains life lessons that prompt writing and discussion.  I am always on the lookout for short, interesting, quality stories that my daughter can use for reading comprehension.  Your book is simply brimming with short vignettes of your Papa's life.  It can also be a jumping off point to remember and write our own stories.  Your Papa, the plumber, reminds me of my own Grandpa, now passed, who was a butcher.  I cannot smell raw meat and cheese without thinking of my Grandpa's butcher shop.  I don't know that I've shared his stories with my own children.  This prompted me to do so.

Thank you so much for sharing the life of your Papa.  As Father's Day is on the horizon, I am recommending this book to my family, friends and readers.