Book Review and Giveaway- How to Raise 10 kids on 25 Words or less

The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio, How My Mother Raised 10 Children on 25 Words or Less.

By Terry Ryan

I LOVE to read, but never can find the time anymore. A book club is starting at church and I am a little excited to see what books they are going to be reading. I hesitate to even start reading something because once I start I hate to put it down, I am usually hooked and get wrapped up in the story. Heaven forbid I start a series, don't bother calling me for days. 

A few years ago I figured I better read the first Harry Potter book just so I could see what all the hoopla was about. Throw in there I was also trying to be a responsible parent and review what my children were reading. I picked it up on a Monday morning, the next Friday night (11 days later) I put the 7th book down and attempted to wade through what used to be my living room. My children were grown, my husband had a beard, and the oldest had braces... After 11 days of fast food they demanded a hot meal and that I take a shower :) So needless to say I was banned from any series of books while the children were little.

The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 kids on 25 Words or Less:

I can't remember where I found this book, I do know that the title was really intriguing. It wasn't a very long read but I REALLY enjoyed it. I have re-read it a few times since and passed it along to my neighbor and Grandmother. 

This story is about a Mother during the 50's and 60's married to a man with violent tendencies and a severe drinking problem, the Mother managed to keep her 10 children fed and housed by entering--and winning--contests for rhymed jingles and advertising slogans of 25-words-or-less. Sometimes she even hit the jackpot, as when a Beech Nut jingle contest netted a Triumph TR3 sports car, a jukebox, a trip to New York and an appearance on the Merv Griffin show. But the Ryans' means were so limited that even a $25 prize was reason to celebrate.

My Mother is from a family of 15 children and this book made me think about what it must have been like for my Grandmother to raise her children. They struggled financially and she did a lot of it alone without the help from my Grandpa. Although he was not violent or an alcoholic, it was difficult to support such a large family. 

I absolutely recommend this book and in fact, my giveaway this week is a copy! So leave a comment and make a suggestion for our book club or tell me what your favorite book is. Don't forget to leave your name and a way to get ahold of you!