Tag Archive | Austin Macauley Publishers

The Concentration Camp by Vera Mertens

Jul31

Horrifying

The Concentration Camp by Vera Mertens is the powerful and horrifying true story of the author’s father’s wartime experiences.

Her father was just a teenager living in Belgium as war broke out. He had already witnessed the damaging effects of World War I on his father. As the Nazis marched in, the horrors from the past loomed large.

The author’s father was a brave young man. He stood up for what was right and consequently ended up in a concentration camp.

We hear of the horrors of man’s inhumanity to man. Deprivation, starvation and terrible cruelty – those who survived the camps would be forever haunted by their experiences. The reader is horrified. It is so hard to imagine why anyone would be so evil and cruel, never mind a whole nation of supposedly educated beings.

Continue reading →

Ottavia’s Story by Clara Franklin

Jul25

Safe In God’s Care

Ottavia’s Story by Clara Franklin is a powerful historical story based on the true stories of a group of women in a concentration camp during World War II. It is a tale that will consume you.

It was a time of great evil but even in the pit of hell, angels turned up in the most remarkable of places.

It seemed like God had forgotten His people but He walked alongside them, showing up at just the right time. His hand was on His children.

The reader witness’s bravery, love and care. It takes a great deal of courage to tread the roads that some trod.

Continue reading →

The Antics Of Mrs Paws by Christine Gregory

Jul24

Wonderful

The Antics Of Mrs Paws by Christine Gregory is a wonderful collection of six stories for the under fives, about a delightful bear called Mrs Paws.

The book fires up the imagination of both children and adults, who are reading it, alike. Mrs Paws is brought to life under the masterful pan of the author.

All the stories are warm and welcoming, about everyday things that are easy to imagine – going on holiday, baking etc. They are told in the third person as the reader is drawn into the tale.

The book is beautifully illustrated. Mrs Paws is delightfully round and just crying out to be loved and hugged by all.

Continue reading →

Edward Bear Stories by Ruth Beavington

Jul24

Delightfully Charming

Edward Bear Stories by Ruth Beavington is an absolutely delightful book for young children or for anyone who is a teddy bear addict – that’s me!

There are ten stories around a range of subjects from a new baby to a beach trip to winter. All the stories are totally charming, appealing to all. I could not choose a favourite.

Every page has a photograph of Edward Bear wearing various appropriate outfits and in different poses and places. Each photo is accompanied by a sentence of writing, sometimes in rhyme. The photographs are packed with detail, giving you lots to talk about with your children.

Either at the beginning or the end of most tales there are questions or activities. Sometimes it is a choice – what do you like out of…? Sometimes it is hunting for a particular object on each page – for example, a yellow duck.

Continue reading →