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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Where Do Butterflies Come From?, November 8, 2008
This review is from: Lady Flatterley (Paperback)
How nice to discover a new author of Christian children's books who understands children and books. The story is written in rhyme, with a playful attitude. I found myself wishing I had a little one on my lap as I read the different voices. The pages are beautifully illustrated and loaded with vivid colors by Pearl L. Ollie.
There's something for a wide age span. For the youngest reader, there are so many details to point out and discuss: "Where's a turtle?" "Do you see a dragonfly?" or "Find a fish." For the older child, there's the science of how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. I especially like the part where the reader learns to leave a struggling caterpillar alone; I've always been tempted to help them out a bit. Depending of the ability of the child, alliteration could be taught.
All of this is summed up neatly by declaring the making of a butterfly to be "God's way." I recommend this one for the children on your gift list.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEAUTIFUL STORY AND BOOK. QUITE UNIQUE., November 8, 2008
This review is from: Lady Flatterley (Paperback)
Lady Flatterley by Linda Wagner and Illustrated by Pearl L. Ollie is perhaps one of the most uniquely written and illustrated works for children I have had the pleasure of reading in some time now. The author has been able to work in several nice little life lessons, using verse form, which is not only reassuring in a sweet mellow way, but quite informative and will be a delight to any child. It allows the adult to introduce all sorts of discussion, something I always look for in a child's book.
Lady Flatterley, our heroine, enters the story as a fuzzy caterpillar hiding among the leaves in a tall oak tree. She is fearful of the wind and obviously of the busy life that is going on around her. She wants to see things, to experience life, but to be frank, she is fearful. The author then takes us on the journey that transforms this caterpillar, thorough the process of preparing her cocoon and eventually, after a long cold winter, transforming in to a free and beautiful butterfly. She receives help, advice and information from helpful creatures around her during her metamorphosis from childhood to an adult.
What wonderful messages there are in this little work for all children! First they are taught that fear of the unknown is really wasted fear, that nature or God has a plan for all of us, and if we trust and let life develop naturally; then we will be much better off for it. The child is taught that change is a natural process, one that all living things go through and that it is a normal life process and one that should be looked forward to. Ms. Wagner has done a very nice job of documenting and teaching the life cycle of a butterfly, so we have a nice little biology lesson thrown in for good measure. The child is also taught, in a rather round about way, that there are really no free lunches, and that good things must be worked for; that we must participate in our own maturation process for it to work.
Now some of these lessons will need to be pointed out to the child by the adult reading the book, which when you think about it, is the job and responsibility of the adult anyway. This is a good thing.
The art work in this book is something to behold. Each page is covered with vivid and contrasting colors which blend perfectly and go precisely with the text. A technique which I have seen before has been used here where the back ground has been accomplished via digital photography and imagery by Jerry Hanzi. The artist, Pearl L. Olive, has superimposed her work over this and blended it perfectly. While familiar with this technique, I must say that it has been used here more effectively than in most works I have reviewed.
All in all, the writing here is great, the illustrations go beyond impressive, and the overall message of the story is invaluable. This is a great read-a-long book, or one for just the child to ponder on his or her own. I do highly recommend this one! Let us hope we hear more from this author!
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Understanding God's Hand In Our World!, November 11, 2008
This review is from: Lady Flatterley (Paperback)
Lady Flatterley is a sweet, yet timid, caterpillar who appears to be afraid of life itself. She hides all day in a tall oak tree, in a home made of leaves, watching the world go by. She wants to have more in life, but her fears hold her back.
One day a beautiful butterfly visits her. Lady Flatterley is in awe at his beauty and his freedom. He explains to her that he too was once a caterpillar until the time came for him to make his cocoon. He explains how this will keep her safe and warm until it is time for her to break free, and once she does, she too will live a different life than the fearful one she has now.
Lady Flatterley didn't totally understand all that was told to her, but soon it came to pass and she was tucked safely in her cocoon as the winter roared. Finally it was time for her to come out, but poor Lady Flatterley didn't seem able to break her cocoon. Others wanted to help, but knew that God wanted Lady Flatterley to learn to survive on her own. Once she achieves this, she gives thanks to God and begins to enjoy the life she was meant to live.
What a wonderful book. Through the life of Lady Flatterley children will learn that there are always some obstacles in life that we must overcome to come to a place the Lord wants us to be. The work shows that fear often tries to make us step back and not move forward to a better place, but if we trust God we will be victorious.
Illustrations are very colorful, well defined, and definitely bring the story to life. A great tale with educational and spiritual value. Recommended.
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