Libros Vivos de Stephanie

8/12/2019 Libros Vivos de Stephanie

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A Dozen Living Books

Reviews of Twelve Books I Have Enjoyed Reading

By Stephanie Walmsley


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Stephanie Walmsley 2012 www.HomeschoolFamilyLife.com2

I T S G O O D T O S H A R E !

This book is a FREE document written by Stephanie Walmsley from

www.HomeschoolFamilyLife.com

Please feel free to share and distribute this book. You can email it, post it on your

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Copyright Stephanie Walmsley. All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER AND/OR LEGAL NOTICES:

The author of this book has attempted to make the information in this book as

accurate as possible. However, the information in this book is for personal

educational use only and is provided in good faith without any express or implied

warranty. Where the author has provided hypertext links to other web sites, this is

done as a service to users of this book. This service does not mean that the author

endorses those sites or material on them in any way. The quotations included in this

book are from texts which are out of copyright. They are for educational use only.


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www.CharlotteMasonMadeEasy.com

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Contents

4 About the Author

5 Products available

6 The Surprising Power of Family Meals (parent/familylife)

7 Dear Bear (picture book)

8 The Scarlet Pimpernel (teen book)

10 Life is So Good (for adults/teen biography)

14 For the Familys Sake (parent/family life)

15 How to Read a Book (adult and teens)

17 Unplug the Christmas Machine (parent and family life)

18 The Lost King of France (adult and teen, history)

20 Dogger (picture book)

22 The Year 1000 (adult/teen history)

24 Beatrix Potter - Artist, Storyteller and Countrywoman(adult/teen biography)

26 Redwall (childs chapter book)


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About the Author

I am a teacher by profession, with teaching experience in New

Zealand and England. After I had children I worked as a

volunteer for over twenty years, supporting mothers in their

mothering and homeschooling. I startedHomeschool Family

Lifeas The Broad Room in 2002 because I saw a need for

good, professional, homeschool help available from someone

who has walked the talk.

My desire is to encourage and equip you as a homeschooling

mother, so that you have the confidence to do what you know in

your heart is the best for you, your own children, and your

family, without comparing yourselves to other families or succumbing to pressure from

well-meaning peers.

I am married to Philip and we started officially homeschooling our five children in

January 1985. The older two had a couple of spells in school; the younger three never

went to school.

Philip says: I am a computer software support and development expert and Ive worked

in the computer software industry since my university days. I love the challenge and

stimulation of my work.

Homeschooling has been a wonderful way to bring up our children. And I feel blessed to

have enjoyed the closeness and the added breadth and depth homeschooling brings to

family life. I am Stephanies technical person, and advisor for her websites.


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Other Products Available

SuccessfulHomeschooling Made

Easy

A 26-week-long course with weekly lessons

delivered by email to homeschooling parents to

teach them how to homeschool their children.

This is suitable for brand new homeschoolers, or

those who want to make a fresh start in

homeschooling, with the intention of being totally

successful, using these fool-proof lessons.

www.SuccessfulHomeschoolingMadeEasy.com

Charlotte Mason MadeEasy

A highly-regarded, comprehensive, thirteen-week

online course for homeschooling parents. In this

course you will learn how to read and enjoy

Charlotte Mason's work, and then keep learning,

week after week, as you build up a clear picture

in your head of a style of learning and teaching

which suits you and your family.

www.CharlotteMasonMadeEasy.com

Grammar LessonsMade Easy

A three-month course with detailed, illustrated

lesson plans for teaching the basics of grammar.

Each week you will receive a lesson by email with

a lesson plan so that you can teach grammar in a

fool-proof, fun way.

www.GrammarLessonsMadeEasy.com

Literature StudyGuides and eBooks

A small range of literature study guides which

are ideally suited to a Charlotte Mason style of

teaching, and eBooks to encourage and support

homeschooling parents.

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The Surprising Power of Family Meals:

How Eating Together Makes Us Smarter, Stronger, Healthier Happier

By Miriam Weinstein

Miriam Weinstein starts The Surprising Power of Family Meals by asking,

What if I told you that there was a magic bullet something that would

improve the quality of your daily life, your childrens chances of success in

the world, your familys health, our values as a society? Something that is

inexpensive, simple to produce, and within the reach of pretty much

everyone? Now I would say that absolutely every parent I know would want

to know what this secret is.

Miriam Weinstein says that families who eat dinner together build up theirchildrens vocabulary and conversational skills, teach their children manners,

and enjoy each other more as a family. The children in the family who eat

dinner together do better at learning to read in fact, eating together is

even more powerful than reading aloud to your child in terms of helping your

child with literacy.

She talks about how eating meals together promotes a sense of resilience

which will last a lifetime, helps in passing on your ethnic, familial and

religious heritage, helps prevent eating disorders, develops conversationalskills and discourages smoking, drug use and teen pregnancy.The Surprising

Power of Family Meals has interesting stories, ideas and suggestions for

making this time of day a quality family time. And I particularly like the way

this author has introduced me to new authors and new ways of looking at

things.

In summary, this is a fabulous book! If you have children and if you eat

meals thenThe Surprising Power of Family Mealsapplies to you, and will be a

useful and important addition to your book shelf.
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Dear Bear

By Joanna Harrison

Katie liked having tea parties. It meant she didnt have to thinkabout the bear. Well the bear didnt worry her that much. After all, it

didnt bother her when she was busy at home, and she could even

laugh about it at school. But when she was at home in bed, however

hard she tried, she couldnt stop thinking about the bear who lived

under the stairs. She had never seen him, but she knew he was there,

just waiting to jump out and grab her.

Dear Bear is a delightful picture story book and tells of a little girl who

is afraid of bears under the stairs. She is encouraged to write a letter

to the bear, and then the bear writes back to her. A correspondence

develops between Katie and the bear under the stairs, and the

storyline gets more and more interesting. I wont spoil the story for

you by telling you how it ends, but I will tell you that when I did turn

to the last page I was surprised and delighted. I immediately wanted

to read the whole book again and I just loved it. Oops, I mean that

my daughter immediately wanted me to read the whole book to heragain and she just loved it.

The author grew up in Oxford, and worked as an animator for

television cartoons for twelve years before having children. She

became a stay at home mother, and eventually started writing and

illustrating childrens books. She is obviously drawing on her

experience as a mother when she wroteDear Bear

I would recommend Dear Bear for reading to foureight year olds,

especially the ones who are worried about bears under the stairs or

shadows in the dark.
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The Scarlet Pimpernel

By Baroness Emmuska Orczy

A book suitable for and reviewed by teens.

Reviewed By Luke (age 15)

The Scarlet Pimpernel, is the first in a series of novels telling of the

adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel. It was originally written as a

play, but when turned into a novel, it was received so well that

Baroness Orczy wrote a series of novels to follow her first Scarlet

Pimpernel adventure. This is a story about a band of Englishmen

whose leader, known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel, organises

audacious escapes for many helpless, innocent French nobles whose

names are on the list to fall prey to La Guillotine. This novel really

takes off about a third of the way through, and becomes enthralling,

making the book hard to put down. It is a great novel and it is worth

keeping on with, as the excitement throughout the last third of the

story far makes up for the somewhat slow beginning.

Reviewed By Monica (age 14)

A Scarlet Pimpernel is a small, red,

star-shaped flower which is the

symbol for a great, fictional, British

hero at the time of the French

revolution. With bright, witty

characters, thrilling adventures, a

wealth of hair-breadth escapes and

just a dash of romance The Scarlet

Pimpernel, is a novel you would be sorry to miss. It portrays the

malice and hate of the revolution while still keeping the story

entertaining and, in parts, funny. Although the beginning is a little

slow-moving, it will soon start to grip you and you will barely be able
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to put the book down. The tale is gripping and heart-warming to the

last, and could possibly inspire you to continue on with the series.

Reviewed By Alexander (age 13)

The Scarlet Pimpernels identity is known only by those few men who

are his followers. They are devoted to saving royalists from the

bloodthirsty revolutionaries, who are themselves bent on

exterminating the entire nobility of France. Young, pretty and

intelligent Marguerite is a main character, and the evil French diplomat

Chauvelin gives an ultimatum to Marguerite: discover and tell

Chauvelin who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, or to let her royalist brother

die in France at La Guillotine. She then finds a note which gives

information of meeting places, times and fugitives The Scarlet

Pimpernel is an exciting novel: will Chauvelin manage to kill the

Scarlet Pimpernel, or will the Scarlet Pimpernel confound his malicious

plans?
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10/26



Life is So Good

By George Dawson

George Dawson, the grandson of slaves, was born in 1898. He startedwork when he was just four years old and he never went to school as a

child. When he was 98 he learned to read and when he was 101 he

wrote his autobiography, Life is So Good.

Life is So Good is the story of an honest, hardworking, simple man

who loves life and living. His philosophy of life is charming and

honest; it is to be listened to. The book gave me a a perspective on

how life was for black people in twentieth century Texas. But more

than that, I felt that George Dawson was teaching me; he showed me

a way of prioritising. He reminded me to be more grateful for tiny

blessings that I receive each day and hadnt even been aware of. He

showed me how important it is not to judge by outward appearances

or preconceived ideas. He reminded me of the importance of having

respect for each other, no matter what age, creed or nationality.

Because this book is not hard to read I have been asked if its suitable

for children. I would say, no, definitely not. Children mightunderstand all the words, but not understand the depth of the story, or

the implications of the narrative. Its a story of adults and teens.

Although this is an easy book to read, it is not easy to forget. It

leaves a deep impression on all who pick it up; it educates, guides,

inspires and enriches. It is a worthwhile read. It is a living history

book. I am glad to have it on my book shelf.
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Quotations from the book:

On Bringing up children. Page 254:Life is So Good

Some people are growing children, not raising children, and theres a

big difference.

What do you mean? [says Richard Glaubman]

Well, people grow hogs. You give them a place to live, give them all

the food they need to keep growing, and make sure that they dont get

sick on you. With children you got to raise them. Of course you feed

and clothe them. But a parent has to take the time to teach them

right and wrong. A parent has to discipline them. And a parent got tobe there to listen to them, help them with their problems. I think

most people do their best, but there are some parents these days that

are growing children, not raising children.

Its a sad thing. These children have everything they need to grow

up, but they are missing something inside. They must hurt awful bad

and no one has shown them the way to live. Buying them their food

or even fancy clothes or a car aint going to help if a child is hurting

inside. We all need the same things. Every person, black or white,

has five senses: taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell. Were all

really the same, rich or poor.

On Education and Learning. Page 220 221:Life is So Good

Ive always treated everybody with respect and people have been

good to me. There are always some that make life hard, though. Most

people, when they show disrespect, they dont even know it. Dont

mean nothing by it. Its not always big things. But I remember once

when I was doing yard work, there was a lady getting ready for a

garage sale the next day. She told me to stop working and help her

son shuffle some stuff around in her garage. When I worked for them,

people would sometimes ask me to do just about anything and I didnt


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mind. We moved a big desk a behind that was a loom. It was nicer

wood that the loom my grandma used with the thread we had made.

We moved it against the garage wall. It was all polished wood and

beautiful too.

The ladys son said, I wonder whats this old thing that my grandma

left us.

Made me feel just good to see one again after all those years and I

said, Its a loom for weaving cloth.

I started to show him where you tie up the threads and said, Its just

missing a shuttle and then it be ready.

That boy looked at me but didnt, Couldnt believea word I said, and I

shut up because he didnt even see me. He saw an old black man, a

gardener. He didnt think I could know anything, especially something

he didnt know. I stopped talking and he didnt learn nothing about his

grandmas loom. He wasnt ready to learn.

I admit that bothered me a little, but not for long. What someone

thinks about me is none of my business. He dont know me. I just

keep moving and go my own way.

More Wisdom From GeorgePage 242Life is So Good

In this story, George Dawson is chatting to Richard Glaubman who is

his biographer. They are discussing Georges neighbour and George

tells Richard that he doesnt give his neighbour any advice. Richard

asks him why not and George responds:

He never asked me for any advice.

So you dont give advice unless someone asks?

See, I might think I know whats best for him, but I dont know what

is really in that mans heart. I might think I do and tell him do this

and do that. He might nod his head, but if in his heart he isnt ready to
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change, wit wont make no difference, maybe even make for some bad

feelings, between us.

Bad feelings, even though you would just be trying to help?

Unless a man asks for advice, he dont really want it. He isnt gonna

thank you for something he dont need yet. Thats right. No one ever

asked me for advice. See, people looked at me and saw an old man, or

saw an old coloured man, or saw a man thats cant read. The saw

what they wanted to see. No one ever asked me for advice.

But thats different now. People ask you for advice all the time.

Now I am a man that can read and for some folks that makes a

difference to them. For some folks, it made a big difference to them

when I turned one hundred.

So if someone asks for advice, then

No, son, only if a man really means it when he asks. Most people ask

a question when they got the answer in mind that they want to hear.

Thats not really a question. They just want you to help them prove

what they already be thinking. I cant think ofthe word for that. Do you know what I mean?

To justify their idea?

Thats the word for it. Sometimes, youre good

with those words, son.

But, Mr Dawson, sometimes people need

advice and theyve got real problems to solve.

Sure, people got their problems. See, if

someone is being honest, Im happy to listen. Ill listen, might even

tell them what I think, but I cant solve nobody elses problems for

them. It dont work that way.


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For the Familys Sake The Value of Home in

Everyones Life

By Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

When I first read For the Familys Sake several years ago I had very high

expectations. After all, this book was by the same author who wrote the

excellent home school classic, For the Childrens Sake and this new book

had a lot to live up to. Well I am glad to say that I wasnt disappointed.

Reading For the Familys Sake is like sitting with a young grandmother and

listening to her wisdom. Its like asking for advice from that older, wiser

woman and getting common sense laced with gentleness. Susan Macaulays

warmth, her motherliness, and her ability to create an atmosphere of safe

homeliness extend through the pages of the book; so that every time I sat

down to read I felt like I was sitting at her dining table over tea and scones.

In this book, Susan Macaulay encourages us to nurture our families; and not

only that, but she tells us why and how. Although I have to admit that she

does get a bit starry-eyed at times, the author has so much to say of worth

that this is a book which is not only worth reading, its even worth owning a

copy to dip into and be refreshed by at intervals.

To give you a taste of how Susan Macaulay encourages, heresa quotation:

Maybe mothers get into the habit of forgetting to count in their own needs

and lives when babies get them up at night regularly. They can come to feel

that being a good-enough mother means always being like a personal

attendant to baby, children, other adults, or the aged. Soon what the mother

takes for granted is accepted by everyone in the family. They assume that

Mum will do everything, even that she doesnt mind or matter.

This is wrong as well as short-sighted. One of the objectives in a home or

communitys routine is to ensure that those who bear the weight dont bum

out. These peoples well-being ensures the homes well being. Another result

of a good routine is that people have enough unified life, and yet there is free

time too for individual work, fulfilment, and leisure.

If this were understood and homes were reasonably organized so that the

weight-bearers had enough regular support or help for them to have work

balanced by breaks, then wed see less distress in homes.

Page 114For the Familys Sake
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How to Read a Book

By Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren

How to Read a Bookis a classic which was written by Mortimer Adler

and first published in 1940. It was updated with the help of Charles

Van Doren in 1972. This book really is a course on how to approach

and understand different kinds of books at a deep level. Its subtitle is

The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading and it is suitable for upper

secondary aged students, adults and university students.

In his book, Adler talks about four different levels of reading:

elementary reading, inspectional reading, analytical reading andsynoptical reading.

His book is also divided into four parts where he talks about the

dimensions of reading, analytical reading, approaches to different

kinds of reading matter and the ultimate goal of reading.

The book itself is a challenging read; it will make you think, it will

change the way you read and how you choose what to read, and it is a

valuable classic reference book which needs to be on the shelf of any

serious student.

A quote from How to Read a Book, Chapter 21, 'Reading and the

Growth of the Mind' (pp 339 341):

"If you are reading in order to become a better reader, you cannot just

read any book or article. You will not improve as a reader if all you

read are books that are well within your capacity. You must tackle

books that are beyond you, or, as we have said, books that are over

your head. Only books of that sort will make you stretch your mind.

And unless you stretch, you will not learn.

"Thus, it becomes of crucial importance for you not only to be able to

read well but also to be able to identify those books that make the
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kinds of demands on you that improvement in reading ability requires.

A book that can do no more than amuse or entertain you may be a

pleasant diversion for an idle hour, but you must not expect to get

anything but amusement from it. We are not against amusement in its

own right, but we do want to stress that improvement in reading skill

does not accompany it. The same goes for a book that merely informs

you of facts that you did not know adding to your understanding of

those facts. Reading for information does not stretch your mind any

more than reading for amusement. It may seem as though it does, but

that is merely because your mind is fuller of facts than it was before

you read the book. However, your mind is essentially in the same

condition that it was before. There has been a quantitative change, but

no improvement in your skill.

"...The books that you will want to read...must also make demands on

you. They must seem to you to be beyond your capacity...

"A good book does reward you for trying to read it. The best books

reward you most of all. The reward, of course, is of two kinds. First,

there is the improvement in your

reading skill that occurs when you

successfully tackle a good, difficult

work. Second--and this in the long run

is much more important--a good book

can teach you about the world and

about yourself. You learn more than

how to read better; you also learn more

about life. You become wiser. Not just

more knowledgeable--books that

provide nothing but information can

produce that result. But wiser, in the

sense that you are more deeply aware

of the great and enduring truths of

human life."


17/26



Unplug the Christmas Machine

By Jo Robinson and Jean Staeheli

Unplug the Christmas Machineis a comprehensive guide to managingChristmas stress and combating commercialism. It is full of ideas for

making Christmas a simpler, more meaningful celebration.

The book reveals why Christmas is bound to disappoint most people,

what people expect from Christmas and how to deal with those

unrealistic expectations. And it also discusses the research on what

children really need and want for Christmas.

Traditions are discussed; we learn how they help children and how to

make our own traditions if you don't already have them. There are

ideas for working out Christmas preparation, how to make calendars

and plans and how to ensure that we are not paying for Christmas all

year long.

I like the way the book helps me to work out what parts of Christmas

are most deserving of my efforts, how to make things easy, how to

find stocking fillers and how to entertain simply.

And finally, I think one very important point from Unplug the

Christmas Machine that I like to try and remember during December

is, "rest is not selfishness". This book is really worth the money, and

I recommend you get a copy for your own book shelf.


18/26



The Lost King of France: A True Story of

Revolution, Revenge, and DNA

By Deborah Cadbury

Ill write this down for you, I said. Ill put it in a story. its

something everybody wants for someone to see the hurt done to

them and set it down like it matters.(The Secret Life of Bees by Sue

Monk Kidd)

The Lost King of France is one of those stories that makes you feel it

needed to be written down. And someone hasseen the hurt done and

set it down like it matters. This is the story of the French royal family

before, during and after the events of the French Revolution. The

book is in two parts; the first part starts in April 1770 with the

departure of the sixteen-year-old Austrian archduchess, Maria Antonia,

from her home in Vienna to Paris to become the wife of the future king

of France. The second part of the book ends in April 2000, with the

results of some DNA tests.

The first part of the book chronicles the life of Maria Antonia, - called

Marie-Antoinette in France - her husband, her children, their

imprisonment and their fate. The story is harrowing. And yet I felt

compelled to read on, and in doing so, to somehow stand by Marie-

Antoinette and agree with the author that this woman was wrongly

vilified, mistreated, misrepresented and maligned. That she and her

family paid for the sins of others who had gone before her.

The second part of the book reads like a detective story, raising a

question about Marie-Antoinettes younger son, the ten-year-olddauphin, who was supposed to have died in prison, but who may have

escaped and lived into adulthood. The mystery is finally solved by

DNA testing in the 1990s and an announcement is made in April,

2000.
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The book chronicles stories of cruelty and unbelievable horror, and at

the same time we are inspired by stories of courage and grace. One

story of courage which touched me was that of the Kings sister,

Princess Elisabeth, who went to the guillotine. On the night before she

died she asked to be allowed to stay in the common cell with the 24

other prisoners who were also condemned to die the next morning,

where she tried to inspire them with her own courage An eye witness

said she seemed to regard them all as friends about to accompany

her to heaven Soon the serenity of her look, the tranquillity of her

mind subdued their anguish.

The next day, at the time of execution: By a refinement of cruelty,

Madame Elisabeth was placed nearest the steps to the scaffold, butshe was the last of the twenty-five called to ascend them; she was to

see and hear the killing of all of them before her turn should come .

During which time she never ceased saying the De Profundis. Each of

the women, when called, turned and kissed the princess before they

ascended the scaffold; each of the men bowed low [but] even

Elisabeth could not cope with the ordeal and fainted. (p 138)

I would recommend The Lost King of France to adults and OLDER

teens only, as a living history book, detailing events of the French

Revolution.
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20/26



Dogger

By Shirley Hughes

Dogger by Shirley Hughes tells the story of a

little boy called Dave who is the owner of

a toy dog called Dogger. One day, Dogger

goes missing, and even though everyone in the

family helps to look for him, Dogger is

nowhere to be found. There, then follows a

little adventure where Dogger is found

but Dave can't get him back. Everything does

turn out well in the end but not before it

looks like Dave may lose Dogger forever.

Dogger was the winner of the 1977 Kate

Greenaway Award for outstanding

illustrations. I think it's a prize well-served. The illustrations truly are heart-

warming and full of a sense of genuine family life with all its messiness and

warmth.

Dogger is a book to own and keep. It's one that we have read so many times

over the years in our house that our copy is very tatty and our chilren can't help

but smile gently when they see the book because it represents many happy

reading hours.

There is an accompanyingbook study with questions and activities suitable

for young children, to accompanyDoggerand enhance your enjoyment of

the book. The e-booklet also contains background information on the

writing of the story and a photograph of the real Dogger. It is suitable for

using with children aged 3 - 7, and can be used in a family situation at home

or in a more formal preschool teaching situation.
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Other books by Shirley Hughes include:

Alfie Gets In First,

Alfie Lends A Hand,(also called Alfie Gives a Hand)

Moving Molly,

A Brush with the Past: 1900-1950 the Years That Changed Our Lives

and many others.

Shirley Hughes has also written A Life Drawing: Autobiography of Shirley

Hughes.This is a beautiful, large, hardback book full of beautiful drawings and

photographs, as well as anecdotes and information about Ms Hughes' illustrating

career. If you love Shirley Hughes artwork you will treasure this book.
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22/26



TheYear 1000: What Life Was Like at the Turn of theFirst Millennium n Englishmans World

By Robert Lacey and Danny Danziger

How tall was the average person in 1000 AD?

What did he eat?

Why was sign language so important in a Benedictine refectory?

Why wasJuly called the hungry month?

What was crazy bread?

Or a destrier?

What daring new innovation did the Pope espouse which revolutionised

arithmetic in 999?

And what was the military technology that helped William win the Battle of

Hastings?


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If you imagine the people living in England in the year 1000 to be small, dirty,

unkempt, uneducated and superstitious you might be surprised by what you read in

The Year 1000which has been described as a delightful portrait of life in Anglo Saxon

England. The authors interviewed dozens of scholars and read actual texts of the day

to build up a picture of life for the everyday man in the street or should I say man in

the field.

The book is written in 12 chapters, each chapter telling about one month of the year.

The style of writing is light and interesting, maybe because it is written by journalists

rather than historians. But these journalists have done their research most

thoroughly, and having sifted through the research, they give us all the interesting and

lively information on life in the year 1000. The nitty gritty daily life of the people is

presented to us in a way that draws us on and inspires our imagination to see history

alive.

You may start out reading this book in order to learn some history, but you will end up

reading for pure enjoyment and relaxation, while learning along the way. A mark of a

true living book? Yes, probably.


24/26



Beatrix Potter - Artist, Storyteller and Countrywoman

By Judy Taylor

Beatrix Potter - Artist, Storyteller and Countrywoman

is an illustratedbiography telling the story of Beatrix Potters life, from her Victorian childhood

in London to her final years farming in the Lake District. Regarded as a

standard work on Beatrix Potter's life, the book has been updated regularly to

include fresh material and previously unpublished photographs that have come

to light as interest in Beatrix Potter continues to grow.

Quotation:

It was at Dalguise that Beatrix

discovered with amazement

and delight the wildlife about

her. When Bertram was old

enough he joined his sister on

her expeditions; tracking the

shy and easily startled roe deer

or seeking out the wild flowers

to study them, and above all,

to draw them.

Beatrix spent much of her

time drawing and painting.

Examples of her work from that

time show that she was

already, at the age of eight and

nine, showing promise. She drew everything, from the game that the grown

ups brought back after a days shooting, to the buttercups picked in the

meadows. The children caught rabbits, tamed them, drew them, and

sometimes even took them back to London. They skinned dead rabbits and

boiled them until the bones were left, then they studied the skeletons, drew

them and preserved them in their collection. They came to recognise the

birds, identify their calls and know where they built their nests. And in all


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their exploration and discovery Beatrix and Bertrum were encouraged by their

father.

I remember so clearly the morning I was ten years old, and my father gave

me Mrs Blackburns Book of Birds drawn from nature, for my birthday present. I

kept it in the drawing room cupboard, only to be taken out after I had washed

my grimy little hands under that wonderful curved brass tap, which being lifted

let forth the full force of ice cold amber water from the hills. The book was

bound in scarlet and with a gilt edge. I danced about the house with pride.

Never palled.

And the local people knew of their interest in wildlife, and often added to

their collection. I shall never forget old Mr Wood coming to Dalguise one hot

Monday afternoon in search of worms, and producing a present out of his hat ofabout two dozen Buff Tip caterpillars collected on the road. They ought to

have in red cotton pocket handkerchief, but they had got loose among his

venerable grey locks.


26/26


Redwall

By Brian Jacques

Reviewed by Celia Walmsley

Picture an Abbey just the right size for a mouse and yet a badger can fit in with

perfect ease. You have just pictured Redwall Abbey, the home of some peace

loving, healer mice.

Redwallisthe story of a young mouse enthralled by the legend of the Abbeys

founder, Martin the Warrior. Matthias longs to be like the brave warrior mouse,

and he unexpectedly gets his chance when the Abbey is attacked by a evil rat,

named Cluny the Scourge and his horde of savage, villainous rats, weasels,

ferrets and stoats. Matthias also has to recover the lost sword of Martin theWarrior to save his woodland friends.

The wonderful fantasy world that surrounds Redwall Abbey totally captures the

readers imagination. It is a grippingly exciting tale that once picked up cannot

easily be put down. Throughout the book we get a sprinkle of wonderful

humour painting vivid pictures for the benefit and enjoyment of the reader.

And the author also makes several wise comments, things that are important to

remember; We are none of us too old to learn. declares the wise Abbot.

The evil Cluny is very real character, he does terrible things yet one cannot

help liking him just the littlest bit and admiring his cunning and skill as a

general. All of Jacques characters are fully rounded and perfectly described,

not one is without fault and their weaknesses are not glossed over, and sin has

its consequences.

I read Redwallwhen I was about 12 and I loved it so much that on the day I

finished it I dashed to the library for another! I would highly recommend this

book to anyone is looking for good fantasy read it is a wonderful book for allages
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