Elizabeth Recommends

A Book About A Little Boy and Elephants plus Some Wonderful Soap

A Perfect Friend

For years I have been a fan of the books of Reynolds Price. A native of North Carolina, Mr. Price wrote a book called A Long and Happy Life that contains the best depiction I have ever read (or heard) of the rhythms of southern speech. And it's a great story, too. This month, though, I want to recommend another of Reynolds Price's books, this one his first for young readers. The book is called A Perfect Friend, and it is about a young boy whose mother has died and an elephant in a traveling circus with whom the little boy makes friends. The book's blurb reads, "It feels like yesterday that Ben's mother died--but it's really been a whole year. Still, he misses her so much the sadness keeps him awake at night. Lying in the dark, the only thing that helps Ben sleep is to think about elephants, those magnificent creatures that his mother loved too...So when word spreads of a small one-ring circus coming to town, Ben anxiously awaits its arrive. His anticipation is more than satisfied when he gets to meet Sala--whose name means, "Sacred Tree"--the sole survivor of a group of four elephants poisoned by a wicked trainer...."

The story shows how life is made up of both joy and sorrow and how grief bonds us to others, with this bond helping to bring comfort and hope for a new future.

Even though this book is labeled for young readers, I think any adult will enjoy the story, too. Reynolds Price is a magnificent writer (32 volumes to his credit) and his work has been translated into 16 languages.

I am indebted to my sister Barbara Walker, senior high school librarian, for making me aware of this wonderful book!

Soap, Oh, Wonderful Soap (And More)

Don't you rejoice when someone expresses her or his creativity in a way that is so perfect for that person--and still so delightful for others to participate in? That is how I feel about the creative work of Taniel Leppla, soap maker extraordinaire, mother of three, and entrepreneur of Peace Blossom Bath & Body, offering handmade bath and skin care products.

Just to read the list of soaps Taniel offers is a delight. Here are just a few samples:

Apple Jack N Orange Peel--a yummy combination of apples, cinnamon, cloves and ground orange peel in an orange colored soap. Especially popular during the fall and winter months, but my dad's year-round favorite!

Cranberry Fig--Not too sweet and not too tart cranberry merges with sweet fig. A light red bar drizzled with copper mica.

Hazelnut Scrub--This rich, deep, nutty scented soap has ground coffee beans added for gentle exfoliation. A dark mocha colored bar speckled with flecks of coffee beans.

Peach Blossom--Soft peach and green notes invoke memories of a spring day

Red Currant--Sweet and tart at the same time. A thoroughly modern scent that has taken Hollywood by storm!

Spa--A stimulating blend of grapefruit, lemon, and lime

Heavenly--A lovely blend of French lavender, fir pine, and Egyptian jasmine sweetened with vanilla and softened with delicate masks. "Heavenly" describes this scent perfectly. This bar is a very deep, velvety brown.

Oh, Baby!--A clean, fresh masculine musk that's fresh and sexy and completely unisex.

Tapestry--An exotic mix of clary sage, sandwood, vetiver, patchouli, mandarin, lemon, grapefruit, neroli, anise, musk and vanilla with bronze, copper and gold "threads" of mica running throughout.

Taniel describes her soaps this way: "My soaps are rich lathering and naturally emollient because they are all made from 100% vegetable, fruit or nut oils. They are highly scented with essential or fragrance oils. Dried herbs, spices, milk, grains, clays, silk fibers, to name just a few ingredients, are frequently added for visual interest or for their beneficial properties. Each bar is unique and different in appearance because I hand pour and trim every bar myself. The final result is the finest, mildest and gentle soap you will ever use!"

Taniel also makes lotion bars and sunflower and shea hand and body lotions in scents like: Jasmine, Lavender, Heavenly, Lemongrass Sage, Oh Baby, Spa, Yuzu (Japanese grapefruit) or Vanilla (and many more.) She offers Whipped Shea Butter and Olive & Honey Hand Cr�me. To contact Taniel for a price list of her wonderful, each-one-unique soaps and body care products, email: Taniel@rochester.rr.com.