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The Magic Of Mister Mishkins

Sep20

Paw Pact

The Magic Of Mister Mishkins by Samantha Mattocks is a beautiful contemporary offering for children aged six years and over. It is the second book in The Magical Mister Mishkins series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The story surrounds Mister Mishkins and the many cats who live with him in his apothecary. Mister Mishkins is part Maine Coon, suffering from a common complaint of hip dysplasia. He is a caring cat who knows exactly what people want when they appear at his shop.

The book is about helping those in need. “Mosaic Street, and Mister Mishkins Apothecary was only ever found by those who needed their fears calmed or worries banished.” It is mainly children who come to Mister Mishkin’s door. For each child, there is a cat waiting to take them on an adventure and calm their fears. We see the lonely; the hurting; the frustrated; those with a fear of spiders or heights. With the help of a cat, children face their fears and overcome them, being able to live in freedom.

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The White Giraffe by Lauren St John

Sep7

A Beautiful Friendship

The White Giraffe by Lauren St John is a fabulous contemporary children’s novel and perfect for ages eight years and over. It is the first book in The White Giraffe series which promises to be fabulous.

The reader travels from London to South Africa after a terrible tragedy. The landscape really comes alive for the reader due to comprehensive descriptions. We can ‘feel’ the African sun beating down on us, and ‘see’ by the light of the moon. Living on Sawubona game reserve brings freedom for eleven-year-old Martine.

It is here that Martine meets a grandmother whose existence she never knew. Martine wonders why her grandmother had been hidden from her. All will be revealed in due course. You need to read the book!

We witness the bond that Martine has with animals, particularly the white giraffe called Jemmy. She will do whatever she can in order to protect the animals from poachers.

Africa is a land of contrasts. We hear how the native Africans were persecuted and forced to live in the shanty town of Soweto near Johannesburg. The reader’s heart breaks as we read: “Only a man can crush you inside, in your heart, for no reason other than the colour of your skin.”

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When The Sky Falls by Phil Earle

Jul20

Tearing At The Emotions

When The Sky Falls by Phil Earle is a powerful historical children’s novel that I absolutely loved. I was drawn into the story from the start.

The four leading characters are an unlikely combination- a twelve-year-old boy; a similar aged girl; a middle-aged lady; and a silverback gorilla. All are thrown together due to World War II.

The novel is set in London in 1941 when a young lad is sent to live with Mrs F. He arrives hurt and angry, and no one can get through his defences. “The last time he’d been at school. The laughter, the pointing fingers and humiliation. He couldn’t do it. Not again.” The fear of school is not unfounded as he meets two classroom bullies and a cruel headmaster. The reader’s heart breaks for the hurting young lad.

Everywhere he goes, people leave. He wonders “what he must have done to cause it.” The reader ‘feels’ his pain.

Encountering the London landscape after rural Yorkshire comes as a shock. “He was shocked… He’d seen photos… of the Blitz… but nothing had prepared him for the smell of it… a cloying smell of charred decay.” This is very descriptive and really sets the scene for the reader. Amid the ashes, the brave Londoners carry on.

At the heart of the novel is Adonis (we met him in Phil Earle’s book The Dawn Of Adonis set in 1911), a silverback gorilla. He is powerful, but once you earn his trust, you have it forever.

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I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery

Jul20

Choose Love

I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery is a powerful children’s novel that I loved. It is perfect for ages eight years and over.

The novel explores the twin themes of love and loyalty as farm-dog Rebel, sets out in search of his twelve-year-old master, Tom. “He [Tom] is my everything. He’s my nights and my mornings and all my hours inbetween.”

Rebel believes that Tom needs saving, not only from war but from himself. “I have to fight for him… I love him. I have to save him, like he saved me.”

Along the way, Rebel meets characters who help him – a stray dog; a mouse; a pig; a donkey; and a little girl and her grandfather. All become a part of Rebel’s story, whilst having their own individual stories.

Rebel learns about the Companion. “Wherever I go, the Companion walks beside me… The Companion led each of us into this world, they will lead us out of it again… They will walk beside you, always.” The Companion is the canine version of the Holy Spirit.

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