Archive | March 2023

Ellie-May And Her Toy Dragon, Ben by Genna Rowbotham

Mar15

Very Charming

Ellie-May And Her Toy Dragon, Ben by Genna Rowbotham is a very charming book for the under fives.

The story is written in rhyme with verses four lines long. There is a bouncy rhythm enabling children to join in once they have heard the tale a few times. They can anticipate the action.

All the book is beautifully illustrated. The drawings are simple but effective. Each page is packed full of detail, enabling you to talk it through with your children.

 The dragon has a friendly face that will appeal to young children.

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Sons Of Thunder by Stephen Grow

Mar14

Hilarious

Sons Of Thunder by Stephen Grow is the most marvellous book of cartoons with a Christian theme… and with the added bonus of a wise cat (said the crazy cat lady!)

The cat adds some droll comments which add to the humor of the cartoons. Having lived with cats all my life, I can actually believe that is just what a cat would say!

I found the cartoons absolutely hilarious. The Christian themes may require a prior knowledge of the Bible for some cartoons but not necessarily. (I cannot be sure on this because I have grown up in church so it is all familiar to me). Most of the cartoons would be accessible to a wider audience though.

In England, we had a cartoon character called Andy Capp who appeared in a newspaper –the Sons Of Thunder reminds me of him with their droll sense of humor as they deliver the punch lines with straight faces.

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The Bookseller Of Dachau by Shari J Ryan

Mar13

Hold On To Hope

The Bookseller Of Dachau by Shari J Ryan is a powerful dual timeline novel that totally consumed me. I did not just read this book – I lived it – my emotions were all over the place.

This is a tale of love, of heartache and ultimately of hope. “Hope is something no one can steal from you.” Without hope, the people perish. We need hope as much as the air that we breathe.

The novel is set in 2018 and during World War II in Bavaria. The two time periods are linked by letters telling the tale of a young German girl and a German Jewish boy during the war years. The young girl is the grandmother of the modern-day character. Their tale is one of a great love. It was a love that defied the times they were living through. Theirs was a brave love. It was a love that meant they both had to hang on to hope.

Nazi Germany was a terrible place. Evil was all around. Selfishness abounded as many believed in self-preservation, turning a blind eye to their neighbour’s plight. One young girl transcended all this. Her bravery was huge. Her love ran deep.

As Jewish lives were eroded, the young Jewish man declared: “They can take everything but… I will still have my dreams, memories and the stories that live within my head.” His mind was free though his body was in bondage.

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The Last Good Summer by JJ Greene

Mar11

Wow – Gripping!

The Last Good Summer by JJ Greene is a completely gripping dual timeline novel that I just could not put down.

The novel is set in Ireland in the summer of 1986 and in present day. The chapters alternate between the two time periods as the stories unfold, linked by the central characters. Something clearly happened in 1986, which has haunted a character ever since.

There was a moment frozen in time, around which, everything has since pivoted. Actions that cannot be altered, as the ball is set rolling and the dominoes are toppled one by one. A character has wallowed in guilt ever since, punishing themselves for what they cannot change.

We witness relationships within a family. When jealousy comes knocking, actions will always have consequences – but can you live with them?

A character has been fighting for what is right – both in 1986 and in present day. There have been disastrous consequences in both time periods.

In present day we witness a scandal being unleashed, with corruption in the highest of places. As a character tries to reveal all, lives are increasingly put in danger.

All the characters were well drawn, likable and realistic. They were easy to empathise with.

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