Tag Archives: children’s book

Mommy/daughter review of Charlie Sparrow and the Book of Flight, by D. F. Anderson

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I won a copy of Charlie Sparrow and the Book of Flight, by D. F. Anderson and Daniel McCloskey, through Goodreads. Since it’s middle-grade fiction, my daughter and I chose to do a mommy/daughter read of it.

Description:
Charlie Sparrow is the only bird in Tree City who can fly, but Mayor Peck insists he’s faking it. When Charlie learns of a book proving the truth about flight, he leaves Tree City to find it, facing a sharp-beaked thug and a den of mythical bird-eating creatures with claws and whiskers. With the help of his friends, Charlie discovers deeply held secrets about the mayor that must be exposed for the citizens of Tree City to wake up to their birthright—flight.

Daughter’s Review:
I really liked it, it was cute. I love how determined Charlie was. It was a good lesson. I liked the part where he became friends with the cat. I’m ten-years-old and I could read it pretty quickly. I think it would be better for kids a little younger than me, but I drew a picture of it.

My Review:
I often find reviewing children’s books more difficult that reviewing adult books. It’s hard to let go of adult expectations and accept books the way a child will. My daughter didn’t wonder how these anthropomorphized birds developed cameras, but didn’t understand the mechanics of flight. She didn’t ponder the Book of Flight’s origins, or if the birds in the rest of the world could fly (and if so, why they never happened to fly by Tree City). She was able and happily willing to simply accept the story as presented, even the bits that don’t make sense. Because they don’t have to for a child.

This book is intended for children between 6 and 9. For that age range it works. For a 40-year-old, maybe not so much. But what does that matter? It’s clean, easily readable and full of enough pictures to support the story, without cluttering the narrative. It’s book two in the series, but stands alone. We’d obviously missed out on how Charlie learned to fly and some of the history, but nothing that impeded the enjoyment of the story in any way. All in all, my children liked it and that’s all that really mattered.

Book Review of The Bicycle Spy, by Yona Zeldis McDonough

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Last year I won a copy of Liberty, by Kirby Larson. When it arrived in the mail, this book, Yona McDonough‘s The Bicycle Spy was mysteriously included. I figured it was a surprise gift or extra bonus or promo or maybe someone somewhere’s mistake. But there it was either way.

Description from Goodreads:
Marcel loves riding his bicycle, whether he’s racing through the streets of his small town in France or making bread deliveries for his parents’ bakery. He dreams of someday competing in the Tour de France, the greatest bicycle race. But ever since Germany’s occupation of France began two years ago, in 1940, the race has been canceled. Now there are soldiers everywhere, interrupting Marcel’s rides with checkpoints and questioning.

Then Marcel learns two big secrets, and he realizes there are worse things about the war than a canceled race. When he later discovers that his friend’s entire family is in imminent danger, Marcel knows he can help — but it will involve taking a risky bicycle ride to pass along covert information. And when nothing ends up going according to plan, it’s up to him to keep pedaling and think quickly… because his friend, her family, and his own future hang in the balance.

Review:
Now, this is written for 3rd to 7th graders, according to the info page in the front of the book. So, I’m hardly the target demographic, being almost 40 and all. But I want to give it to my 9yo and be able to discuss it with her, so I went ahead and read it too. The writing is appropriately simple and it trims some very thick themes into fairly thin ideas, such that a child can grasp it.

I do think it shies away from really engaging the subject matter. Because of this I think they’d need a little knowledge of WWII to really understand it. A lot is explained, but I still feel a minimal base knowledge would be needed or at least appreciated. But Marcel is a sweet character and his story is interesting enough, though again fairly simplistic. I think a 3rd to 7th grader would likely enjoy the book. I’m hoping mine will, especially given the state of the world at this moment.

What I’m drinking: Green matcha, which I’ve had several times in cafes/restaurants. This was the first time I tried making it at home though, and I’d call it a moderate success.

Showcasing Willa’s Journey Home

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I don’t do a lot of promos here. I read books. I give my opinions on those books. I don’t generally see it as my job to help authors sell those books.

But Willa’s Journey Home is something else altogether. It’s more than just a book. It’s an opportunity. It’s part of something bigger than itself and a chance to help those endeavouring to be bastions of hope to those in need. If you’ll take a few minutes to watch the following video you’ll see that too.

From the Website:
Willa’s Journey Home, an illustrated children’s book, tells a story of hope on the difficult path traveled by homeless women who find their way to Shalom House.

Willa is a little bird who never learned to fly and so never had a safe nest of her own.  Losing her way, she wanders alone in a big and sometimes scary forest. With only her hope of finding a real home, her journey leads her to a special tree where other birds help her take flight and find her very own home.

In sharing our story of hope you can be a part of changing lives by helping us educate and raise awareness about the issues of homelessness.  Willa’s Journey Home will also generate revenues for Shalom House, supporting holistic programming for the homeless women we serve.

At Shalom House, we give hope to homeless women through innovative programs and supportive services designed to help them stabilize and rebuild their lives.

It’s important for us to give a voice to Shalom House women, who so often aren’t heard.  In telling Willa’s journey, we discovered it isn’t easy to share those stories with children in a way that is relatable, impactful and not too scary.  When asked to read a book about homelessness to a group of younger children, we couldn’t find any stories.  So we wrote one ourselves.

Children have a great capacity for understanding and caring. Willa’s Journey Home fosters that understanding and early social awareness, inspiring a new generation to share the gift of hope and dynamic action with others.

Reading Willa’s Journey Home to the kids in your life – your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, students, Sunday school class, youth group – and talking to them about the story teaches kids about homelessness, showing them that no matter what age, they can make a difference.

Willa’s Journey Home can be shared with all ages.  Her story will cultivate meaningful discussions between children and adults about homelessness.

Willa's Journey Home

I first became aware of Willa’s story through Jane Miles, whose mixed media art brings life to little Willa and her story. Jane is possibly the most open, genuine person I have ever had the pleasure to meet and call a friend. Her art is just as clear-sighted as her personality and, through many an afternoon chats, I’ve been thrilled to watch her pride and confidence in this project grow.

I’m also honoured to have the chance to help, even in this small way, bring it to peoples’ attention. Willa’s Journey Home is not just a pretty book. It’s a beautiful endeavour, with beautiful ambition, brought to fruition by many a beautiful hearts. If you’re able, please consider being one of them and making a donation to the Indiegogo campaign. I’ve made mine. Will you?

About Shalom House
Shalom House clients are homeless women, ages 18 and older, many of whom are chronically homeless and suffering with mental illness and/or chemical dependence.

Mission Statement – Shalom House gives hope to homeless women through innovative programs and supportive services designed to stabilize and rebuild lives.

Emergency Shelter – The only 24-hour, full service residential program for chronically homeless women with mental illness and chemical dependency in the City of St. Louis; 25 beds, 90-day program.

Transitional Housing Program – Provides semi-independent rehabilitation housing program for homeless women with a serious and persistent mental illness and/or chemical dependence. The program is certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health; 12 beds, 24-month program, aftercare program.

Permanent Supportive Housing – Provides clients with permanent housing  in addition to intensive in-home supportive services; 30 scattered site apartments (private residences with landlords).

Supportive services – Individual and group counseling, occupational therapy, life skills training, health and case management, mental health programming, substance abuse counseling, recovery services, resource and referral, coordination of care, spiritual programs, Butterfly graduate program, Furnishing Hope (furnishing client and graduate apartments).