A high-quality tear-jerker about man’s best friend.
A moving children’s tale about the ineffable bond between a boy and a canine as they come to terms with God’s plan for them.
Jeremy, an 8-year-old who lives on a farm with his parents, is very excited when their family dog, Ginger, gives birth to five adorable puppies. He knows that the pups will only be on the farm for a couple of months before his parents give them away, so he tries to spend as much time with them as possible. What he doesn’t expect, however, is the connection that he quickly forms with the biggest of the litter, whom he affectionately calls Achilles. (Ginger, unknown to Jeremy, had already named the pup Thunder.) Achilles feels the same way about the boy; it’s a friendship unlike any other. Unfortunately, Jeremy’s parents make it clear that they can’t afford to have another dog, so Achilles will have to find a different home, like all the other pups. Heartbroken, Jeremy tries to thwart his parents’ efforts by dissuading would-be adopters while also trying to cherish every moment with his beloved pet. All the while, Achilles tries to accept God’s will for whatever he has in mind for him—even if it isn’t a life with Jeremy. Ellis’ debut switches smoothly between Jeremy’s and Achilles’ perspectives. The author masterfully uses crisp details to paint clear pictures of settings and emotions, and as a result, readers will likely become absorbed by the story. Ellis also takes several moments to expound on important life lessons, subtly touch on Christian doctrine, and even show genuine, positive parent-child interactions. Although it’s often a difficult feat to humanize animals, Ellis does it well, keeping things as realistic as possible; for example, the dogs don’t understand human speech, but they do sense their emotions. This book is sure to be inspirational for Christians, moving for dog lovers, and perfect for readers who are both.
A high-quality tear-jerker about man’s best friend.Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-5127-5526-8
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: Dec. 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Although metaphysical rumblings may disturb adults, this wily symbolism-studded fantasy should appeal to children of an imaginative turn. While exploring an old English mansion, the four children—Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy—discover through passing into a wardrobe, the strange land of Narnia, where it is winter without ever becoming Christmas. The children soon are swept up in the terror of the rule of the White Witch, fighting with the other subjects—all animals—and the glorious Lion, Asian, who brings spring and hope with him. In spite of the White Witch's terrific enslavement of Edmund, her horrid power, which changes living things to stone, and the sacrificial death of Aslan, the forces of light win, the children are made kings and queens, and Asian returns to life. The plot thickens to a pretty heavy pudding at the end, but the prose is witty and the novel action is fast-moving. Not recommended for adults!
Pub Date: Nov. 6, 1950
ISBN: 978-0-06-171505-1
Page Count: -
Publisher: Macmillan
Review Posted Online: April 9, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1950
SEEN & HEARD
Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations.
Bergren and Bryant attempt to explain Easter to young children in a gentle, nonthreatening manner, with partial success.
When Little Cub questions her father about Easter, Papa Bear explains the religious significance of the holiday in various symbolic ways to his cub. He uses familiar things from their world, such as an egg and a fallen tree, to draw parallels with aspects of the Christian story. Papa Bear discusses his close relationships with Jesus and God, encouraging Little Cub to communicate with God on her own. The theme focuses on the renewal of life and the positive aspects of loving God and Jesus. Easter is presented as a celebration of eternal life, but the story skirts the issue of the crucifixion entirely. Some adults will find this an inadequate or even dishonest approach to the Easter story, but others will appreciate the calm and soothing text as a way to begin to understand a difficult subject. Bryant’s charming watercolor illustrations of the polar bear family, their cozy home and snowy forest scenes add to the overall mellow effect.
Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations. (Religion/picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-307-73072-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: WaterBrook
Review Posted Online: Dec. 11, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2013
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
