Review: Making the best of a ‘bad’ situation
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 25, 2013
Anyone who has read Leela hope’s growing collection of children’s stories -  ‘Wyatt Please Be Quiet’, ‘Ned Won’t Go To Bed’, ‘Dirty Girl Called Gertie, ‘Messy Hair Claire’ – knows that not only does this author and illustrator spin some fun stories but also accompanies those stories with some solid thoughts to dilemmas for children to consider before dozing off to sleep.Faith loves to play outside so when it rained one day she fretted until she saw the sunny day the next day. But there was a problem: everything outside was muddy! Faith’s mother gives Faith boots and a raincoat, reassuring her that if she gets wet she’ll stay dry inside. Once outside Faith sees he best friend, Peter the Pony who is sad because of all the mud. Faith jumps in mud puddles and coaxes the reluctant Peter to join her. They go for a walk, see Faith’s dog Danny splashing in the muddy puddles and Faith joins him – but not Peter. The are soon joined by Cathy the little yellow chick who also joins them and then they all see Paula the pink piglet who was very at home in mud puddles even Kelly the cat and Bobby the bluebird splash and play in the mud. Finally Peter bravely gets into the mud – and loves it. So Peter the Pony becomes Peter the Brave Pony, and Faith goes home happy with her day and joins her mom in their clean warm house.Leela’s stories are brief, simple to understand, and carry a fine message for children – and adults!  Grady Harp, October 13