This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Christine is an ex-secretary, wife, mother, grandmother – and a farmer for more than 40 years, now living on and enjoying this end of her life on a retirement farm in beautiful Australia.
Her book covers say 'Author - Christine Larsen', and it's true… finally. Decades ago her written creations were shelved, in the belief that editors' rejections equalled no talent. Instead she concentrated on raising a family and meeting the various needs of farming, including successfully raising a myriad of animals, nine of which were kangaroos.
Christine has been rescuing something or someone ever since – on Lifeline telephones; adopting three 'special needs' children; in the community as a Careworker; animals from shelters; and from the Charity shops – abandoned small knitted folk.
Throughout these years she remained an avid reader and wannabe author, constantly 'moodling' about this – until, like a volcano, Christine's creative writing skills had no choice but to erupt, and here she is - working her fingers to the bone on her computer and having the time of her life.
Welcome to her world!
Reviewed by Jacqueline Ruiz for Readers' Favorite
The Gross Gang written by Christine Larsen is about Larsen’s fascination with words that can be classified as "odd" or “extinct.” The book introduces us to many of these words (some of which I’ve never heard before) in the form of various poems. Her poems are quirky and fun to read and, I must say, highly relevant to the meanings of the “extinct” words. I know this because at the end of each poem, Larsen gives us definitions to better understand what we have just read. Each poem is also accompanied by a cute picture at the beginning – Larsen doesn’t mention an illustrator so I wonder if she drew these pictures herself. I’ve read a previous book by Larsen and she strikes me as a quirky yet highly likable person. I could picture her sitting in her study, drawing these wonderful images.
If I had to choose my favorite poem from this book, I would have to say “The Great Gadzooks.” I am familiar with the words gadzooks and kerfuffle but in this poem, Larsen gives them a lovelier meaning. Gazza Gadzooks and Katie Kerfuffle were once a couple. They lost each other along the way. Katie met someone else and became a Burly (she married Hurly!). After much turmoil, he passed away so now the two wonder although ten years have passed, is it time for their love to renew? You will definitely enjoy this book as much as I have done. This is a great way to remember these words and a delightful resource for introducing children to these long-lost words as well.
