Review: A classic children's book
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 14, 2012
In the tradition of Wind In The Willows, comes a new family classic -- Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore. The setting for the book is the countryside of woods and fields surrounding a large pond somewhere in the British Isles. The year is 1891. The animal residents have the ability to speak and have created a self-sustaining community that has existed for many years. The success of the community is rooted in the caring and sharing they extend to each other.You are most welcome to join them as they help each other through their adventures -- big and small.There is Bartholomew, the wise old owl, who watches over everyone including:Branna Bluebird - the brave, spunky messenger;Wilde and Wilder Weasel - the mischievous, unofficial security guards;Finn Frog - whose middle name is "Adventure";Grenby - the eccentric, weather forecasting ground hog;The Chipmunks - who seem to attract trouble wherever they go;The "Pond Creature";and many more.This is a heartwarming, humorous, and adventurous book of intertwined tales with an underlying theme of "The Golden Rule".  The book is intended for 8-12 year olds but can be appreciated by anyone - young or old.  The tales are further enhanced by the beautiful full-color illustrations.A print version of the book would be over 300 pages. The introductory price is only $.99.As a child, I was a geek. Big Deidre Barlow glasses, shy, head always stuck in a book or writing little stories. I immersed myself in Enid Blyton, Beatrix Potter, Roald Dahl, Hans Christian Anderson, old books of my grandparents, anything remotely different. I travelled with Moby Dick, followed Gulliver on his travels, rode with Toad in Wind in The Willows and sat on a thimble eating huge breadcrumbs with the Borrowers.As much as I love modern children's books today, I often mourn for the classic books of my childhood and I fully intend to pass these gems on to my children.This book, written by Bob Brooks, is one of those old school books. No bogies, aliens, or superheroes. This is a classic book that reads like it could have been sat in a dust cover for 30 years. It's amazing. Very Animals of Farthing Wood (remember that?) this immense book tells the tales of a collection, no, a community of animals, all watched over by the adorable, grandfather-like Bartholomew Owl. He is my favourite, I loved him from the start. All of the creatures have their quirks and lovable traits, Grenby is hilarious, mad as a box of frogs.The illustrations in this book really fit the tone of the book and add more credence to the classic yesteryear feel.My children both being under 4 are both too young for this book as yet, but my 8 year old self would have dived in. I will definitely read it to my boys when the time comes.I can't pick a fault with this children's book, it is well presented and formatted, the characters interact well, the story is light with a strong message woven in, as all children's tales should be.Bob Brooks, I take my hat off to you. My 8 year old self would no doubt have plagued you with fan mail.Rachel Dove, The Kindle Book Review