January, 2010:

HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW

Book: The Bouncing Boy

Author and Illustrator: Ilia (aka Leigh-Ann Lemire)

Publisher: CreateSpace, 2008

ISBN-13: 978-1440475603

Related websites: www.winsometales.com (book), www.art-of-ilia.com (author), www.createspace.com/3361028 (publisher)

Language level: 1 (nothing objectionable)

Reading level: grades 5 and 6

Rating: 5 stars (EXCELLENT)

Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker

For more information e-mail homeschoolbookreview@gmail.com

     Lemire, Leigh-Ann (aka Ilia). The Bouncing Boy (published in 2008 by CreateSpace).  What would you think if you saw a boy who was so big that he would actually bounce if he fell?  Jack is a big bouncing boy.  That’s what his mother called him when he was born, and that’s what he has become.  He was a big baby, a big toddler, a big child, and now a big pre-teen.  As a result, the other children, and even many of the adults, in the small town where he lives have teased him unmercifully.  Unfortunately, Jack’s resentment only leads to behavior that continues to make him more unpopular.  Then his old, frail parents pass on, and his life goes from bad to worse until Jack is finally chased out of town to live in the nearby woods.

     Then one day, a "Sad Situation" arises in the town.  The people’s heads start growing flowers instead of hair, and the flowers smell very, very bad.  The townsfolk begin ridiculing each other rather than trying to work out a solution.  Only one old rickety frail man realizes that something needs to be done, and he needs Jack’s aid to cross the land and the desert so that they can get help from the healer in the next village.  At first Jack doesn’t want to help the very people who have been so mean to him, but "the elder" appeals to the memory of Jack’s parents, and Jack agrees to go with him.  Will they make it?  Will they find a cure?  Will Jack and the townspeople learn any important lessons?

     The Bouncing Boy is the third in a series of modern day fairy tales written by Leigh-Ann Lemire, who goes by the penname of Ilia.  It is designed to appeal to both adults and children from one to a hundred years old.  Any child, or adult for that matter, who has ever been teased or ridiculed should be able to identify with Jack.  Some of the important values depicted in the story include respecting parents and elders, being persistent in achieving one’s goals in spite of seemingly insurmountable odds, and the necessity of forgiveness.  Youngsters will have fun reading about some of the "gross" and "yucky" things that Jack does, but they will be learning some vital life lessons at the same time.

HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW

Book: Auntie’s House

Author: Dawn Aldrich

Illustrator: Michael Aldrich

Publisher: Halo Publishing International, 2009

ISBN-13: 978-0-9797429-7-2

Related websites: www.DawnAldrich.com (author), www.halopublishing.com (publisher)

Language level: 1 (nothing objectionable)

Reading level: Ages Pre-K through 3rd grade

Rating: 5 stars (EXCELLENT)

Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker

For more information e-mail homeschoolbookreview@gmail.com

     Aldrich, Dawn.  Auntie’s House (published in 2009 by Halo Publishing International).  Do you have a favorite aunt with whom you like to stay?  Or if you are older, did you have one when you were young?  A little girl’s mommy is going to work, so the little girl must stay to Auntie’s house for the day.  Together she and her aunt go upstairs to where the toys are and find books, blocks, trains, trucks, and pretty tea cups.  Next, they go back downstairs and have a tea party.  Then they go outside to play on the swings and the slide.  When they get tired, they go back inside and play with the blocks and a train.  After that they climb into Auntie’s favorite rocking chair where Auntie reads "The Three Little Bears" and other books, "one book and then another."  Finally, the little girl begins to wonder where Mommy is, but it is time for her to take a nap.  What will she find when she awakens from her nap? 

     Author Dawn Aldrich uses a fun, rhythmic text to tell about the adventures of a child at an aunt’s house from the child’s perspective.  These adventures are accompanied with whimsical, full color illustrations by Michael Aldrich, who is Dawn’s nephew.  The basic theme of Auntie’s House is trust.  There is the child’s trust that her mother will come back at the end of the day.  Also, there is the mother’s trust in Auntie to take care of the child.  In answer to every question from the child, the aunt replies, "Of course little one.  Let’s have some fun!"  What a wonderful way to help a child learn how to adjust to staying with a relative while a parent is away!  Children will find it entertaining, and parents will like its reinforcement of strong family ties.  I say that it’s a keeper!