Review: Deeply inspiring
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 14, 2013
Cleverly written, vividly described and deeply enlightening, Anat Umansky's `Don't Think You Can't' is one of those deceptively simple books that will surprise with how it can open your eyes in the end. And while it's targeted mainly for young readers, it is--like `Who Moved My Cheese?'--is something that even adults can benefit from.Like many books for children, `Don't Think you Can't' is a fable about animals--a fearful crow and a rabbit. The crow has been dying to eat a plump, delicious tomato, but his fear of the hungry wolf has prevented him to succeed in his little desire. A rabbit comes along and, without much hassle, just goes for it--all the while using the crow's fears as a warning signal. In essence, the rabbit used someone else's fear to get what he wants in life--if that doesn't reveal multiple layers of life lessons, then I don't know what will.Umansky's deceptively simple storytelling turns out to leave a deep impression in the end. She deftly succeeds in showing us something that we should have known all along--except we don't usually see it until it is shown us through some fable. What's more, the book includes a FREE GIFT: "Tips I have Learned About Fears".Overall, I can't recommend this book too highly. Buy it for your kids, or even for yourselves. It's also the perfect gift to a loved one of any age--it can serve as a subtle, tongue-in-cheek reminder of what matters most in life, and how not to lose sight of it. This book deserves all the five stars it can get.