The Adventures Of Flora Bee: Spies by Rhodri Davies

Jun26

Timeless

The Adventures Of Flora Bee: Spies by Rhodri Davies is an other charming book in the series for young children.

The winning formula begun in book one continues – double pages with six rhyming couplets and illustrations. It appeals to all, with its’ familiarity. We know that the words will bounce along and the illustrations by Rob Anderson will be charming.

I particularly liked the bees dressed as spies and the picture of the villain with the cat on his lap.

There is a moral to be learnt – do not steal or copy others, design your own work.

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The Adventures Of Flora Bee: Bee School by Rhodri Davies

Jun26

Delightful

The Adventures Of Flora Bee: Bee School by Rhodri Davies is a delightful book for young children. It will bring a smile to the faces of those who are listening and to the adults reading it. It is a book you will never grow tired of. More experienced readers will be able to read it themselves.

Each double page has six verses and six illustrations. It is written in rhyming couplets giving a lovely bouncy feel to it, and making it easy for children to join in.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Rob Anderson. The bees all look very friendly, appealing to young children. Both the pictures and the verses can be used as discussion points with our children as they are rich in detail.

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Love At The Garden Tomb by R F Whong

Jun24

Speak Softly Love

Love At The Garden Tomb by R F Whong is a powerful contemporary Christian novel set in the 1990’s and 2010.

The novel has God at its centre. We see the importance of putting God first and trusting His plans for our lives even when life makes no sense.

A character is consumed by guilt over an event in his childhood. He torments himself over what he cannot change. He needs to surrender his guilt to God and exchange it for forgiveness.

God spoke through dreams in the past and He still speaks through dreams today.

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Note To Self by Anna Bell

Jun23

Really Charming

Note To Self by Anna Bell is the most charming contemporary novel that will swell your heart and make you smile.

The premise is a wonderful idea – a thirty five year old character receives emails from her seventeen year old self. They are encouraging her to grab life and step out of her comfort zone. “Real living happens when you step outside it [your comfort zone] Remember, your comfort zone does not have a brick wall built around it.”

Too often in life we settle. Routine takes over and we lose sight of who we really are. Life is for living. If we are not careful, it will pass us by and we will be left with regrets. The novel shows what can happen when we decide to live and to have fun.

It is also a study in guilt and grief. The past cannot be altered. Guilt will always weigh us down. Grief threatens to drown a character. It never goes away. We just have to learn to live with it. I loved the idea of a memory jar.

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