KTBR - CHILDREN REVIEWS

THE OTHER SIDE OF YORE by Joseph Lynon Layden

2007-04-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

Illustrations by Kenny Savage
Booklocker.com, Inc.
Joe.booklocker.com
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781601451224, $14.95, 156 pp.

I don’t get many children’s fantasy books to review, and I am not by any means an authority on this genre; however, I did read the book and can recommend it as enjoyable family reading material.

The Other Side of Yore is an enchanting adventure story about Frawg’s journey with his friends into Mudgunkland to save the world of Terramore from destruction by Cobraxas, a snake. All the flowers are dying, poisoned by the green smoke from the dark swamps, and the good King’s daughter, Princess Lilypad, has fallen into a deep sleep.

Included in this story are thirteen artfully illustrated drawings by Kenny Savage, plus poems, riddles and songs to delight children of all ages.

It is a delightful story–well-edited and designed–which I’m sure children will enjoy. Joseph Layden has been writing professionally for over ten years as a freelance journalist. The Other Side of Yore is his debut Children’s Fantasy novel,
and I wish he and Kenny much success in their creative efforts.

Reviewed by Kaye Trout - April 5, 2007

ERNIE'S GREAT ADVENTURES by Ernest T. Thompson

2006-08-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 S. Parker Rd - 515, Parker, CO
www.outskirtspress.comerniesgreatadventures
Genre: Children/Pre-school/Adventure
Rating: Fair
ISBN: 1598004085, $15.95, 68 pp

I don’t get many children’s books to review, and I won’t pretend that I understand the logic behind this book. I do understand that the stories were written to inspire children to use their imaginations–to do and be whatever they want.

Ernie’s Great Adventures includes five short stories–each two pages long: Ernie’s Great Adventures as a Chef, as a Sailor, as a Pilot, as a Fireman and as a Pirate. The rest of the book from page 11 through page 63 is Ernie’s Word Dictionary with one letter of the alphabet on every other page plus a word, i.e. A - Amazing, B - Big, C - Colorful, etc. Possibly Ernie ran out of imagination.

As the alphabetical letters take up most of the book, it is my assumption that the author intended this book for pre-school children; however, there are no colorful pictures inside of any kind, and in this respect, I do not think it will compete well with the colorful books on the market. If it was, indeed, intended for older children who might understand the concept of using your imagination, then the 52 pages of alphabetical letters are fluff and fill.

The book has an attractive cover, but I think for the limited content, at $15.95 it is overpriced.

According to the back cover, Ernest T. Thompson grew up in North Carolina spending most of his life in the military. He says, "Sometimes your environment dictates your outcome in life. If you start off as a kid with no hope then you will end up as an adult with no hope. Having hope is not something someone gives you. Hope starts in the mind and puts you on a course to something bigger and better." To which I say, "Amen, Ernest!. . . keeping working and don’t stop hoping."

Reviewed by Kaye Trout - August 11, 2006

MOUNTAINS IN THE MIST by Helena Gunther

2006-04-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

MR CHIP AND THE ANTIMATTER AFFAIR by Dr. Peter Wright

2006-03-30T14:40:00.000-08:00

Mr Chip and the Antimatter Affair
Dr. Peter Wright
Bright Pen
40 Castle Street
Hertford SG14 1HR, England
Genre: Children's Fiction/Mystery
ISBN: 0755210018, $9.99, 76 pp, 2004

This short story is about Lucy and Eliot Moody, their family, and a gift left to them by their Uncle Ronald who they lost in an accident.

"Uncle Ronald, Professor Ronald Moody, had been a brilliant scientist engaged in hush hush research of some sort, and from him, the children inherit Mr. Chip, a highly sophisticated robot developed by Ronald over many years," to quote from the back cover. There is mystery, intrigue, and a surprise ending.

I believe one of the themes in this story is that kindness to neglected children, Billy Shaw--the local bully, works to help them see a different way, another might be . . . how nice it is to have a brother or sister with whom to share adventures.

Dr. Peter Wright is a physicist and has a long teaching career. Through this little story he continues to teach and explain to children some of today's technology. He has also been a research scientist, a policeman, a pilot and a plumber. He lives in London with his wife and son and has a passion for motorcyles, so the book tells me.

This book is well-written, and I would recommend it for children age 8 to 12.

Reviewed by Kaye Trout - March 29, 2006 - Copyright