Allen Klein (1938–2009)

The overall premise of Secrets Kids Know is that as adults grow up we loose our joy in life. Which affects many aspects of our lives, from our relationships, to our careers and creativity. Mr. Klein helps the reader see a wide variety of things through children's eyes -- with his delightful insights, quotes, examples, and stories.

Each chapter (or secret as Mr. Klein calls them) is a breath of fresh air, here's a brief sampling:

Be a Beginner, where we see how the innocence of not knowing something opens us up to all possibilities - without preconceived right or wrong.

Be a Fun Seeker, in which we see how clowning around like a kid can be restorative.

Be Curious, which asks us to use curiosity to inspire our goals. The child-like question "are we there yet?" can be turned around on yourself "Am I there yet?" or your company "Are we there yet?"

Be Truthful, where we learn how to see things as they are, and the value of honest observation, unclouded by adult preconceptions.

Each chapter ends with a "Grow Down" (vs. Grow up) assignment -- more of a suggestion really -- such as taking a nap, blowing bubbles out the car window during a traffic jam (gonna try that one), or consulting your child-like instinct when making important decisions.

I fear I've made Secrets Kids Know sound simplistic -- it not. The author recognizes that adult pressures, worries, and crises can't be solved by being childlike. We can't always live in the moment, as if a three year old. Instead, Mr. Klein suggests that we incorporate child-like tendencies into our day-to-day thoughts and activities in order to cope with the burdens of adulthood, not to mention the nightly news.
Unlike some other self help authors, Mr. Klein is no egotist. He happily intersperses his writing with other's stories, quotes, and insights - often causing this reader to chuckle...

"One good thing about five-year-olds is they are always just a Krazy Straw and some chocolate milk away from the best day ever." Simon Cholland

While I won't be donning a red clown nose (something the author advocates), I did refresh my walking music with some Bee Gees, helped a neighbor's 1 1/2 year old with a chalk drawing on the sidewalk, and, yes, I'll be buying bubbles.

Thank you to Viva Editions and the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest and non-compensated review.
See my entire review and others at http://www.bookbarmy.com… (mere)

This is the prettiest little book. The cover is a pretty peach, and the inside is all lovely peach and green ink. The quotes are completely unremarkable, organized into chapters such as "Becoming a Mother" and "I Remember Mama". Maybe that's because it's collected from a male point of view? I found it uninspiring. Maybe when I was pregnant or newly postpartum and totally hormonal, it would have meant something. But my children are older, and this book left me flat. Still, because it's so pretty, you could give it as a gift and it would be okay. I received it as part of the Early Reviewers program of LibraryThing.… (mere)

Always Look on the Bright Side
Celebrating Each Day to the Fullest
by Allen Klein

This one was a blast to review. Just imagine opening up any one of these 190 pages and getting a short but sweet jolt of love, life and happiness from wise and amazing people some you will know and some you will not. I just had such an experience and loved every minute of it. The cool thing is I can open this great find over and over again and get just the right pick me up at just the right time. Many wonderful topics all with thought filled little pearls of wisdom. I would recommend this zippy little number to anyone wanting a sure fire way to look on the bright side. Thanks Allen, this was fun.

Love & Light,
Riki Frahmann… (mere)