Customer Reviews

Lass: Tag-Based on the best-seller Lessons from a Sheepdog by W. Phillip Keller

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an outstanding book not only for children but for adults also. I have 4 children from ages 9-15 and they all greatly enjoyed and loved this book! Highly recommended!

"Now that you are starting a new life, I am going to give you a new name. How does Lass sound to you?" asked Phillip Keller, the new owner that Lass was introduced to through a personal ad. Although there was a need on both the sheepdog and new owners behalf, Lass escaped from Phillip as soon as the leash was removed. The pages of this book are enhanced by eloquent illustrations. The adventures and mishaps that Lass and Phillip have with one another and other animals are entertaining and suspensful. This is a book for every dog lover.

The story of a wonderful relationship, mutually beneficial, between a sheep rancher and a border collie. Teaches patience and faithfulness. A religious parable. Danger in the form of a cougar.

This is a wonderful story about Lass and his owner. The paralells with trusting God are excellent. The illustarations are well-done, by a very talented Christian illustrator, Cherie Bladholm.

Animal lovers will enjoy Lass, a gentle tale of how one rancher learned more about God through his sheepdog. Based on Phillip Keller's bestselling, biographical Lessons from a Sheepdog, the picture book by Roland Gebauer begins with Keller deciding he's going to raise sheep. In his search for a good sheepdog, he comes across a border collie named Lassie who is angry and vicious. Although she seems a strange choice, Keller is drawn to her. He thinks the dog just needs a second chance. And with a new chance comes a new name: Lass.

At first, Lass growls and runs away from Keller, but slowly, he gains the dog's trust. Soon she's an excellent sheep dog and companion. Along the way, both Lass and Keller learn lessons. For example, one day Lass leaves the sheep and chases some crows.

"Lass always knew when Mr. Keller was disappointed. She felt guilty for her bad behavior and hung her head in shame as he scolded her for disobeying. Mr. Keller didn't enjoy disciplining Lass. It was a difficult time for both of them, but it had to be done. Lass had to be corrected so that next time she would remember to stay with the sheep."

Later, after Keller sends Lass on a particularly difficult task, he wonders:

"Am I willing to go where the Lord send me, no matter how hard it seems? Am I as happy and eager to obey God's commands as Lass is to carry out mine?"

The last two pages of the book offer discussion questions for children and their parents or teachers

What I Like: The illustrations by Cheri Bladholm are exquisite - loose and expressionistic, in rich tones. The story itself is well told, too, and although the lessons Keller learned from Lass are clear to readers, the book isn't preachy or boring. My 5 year old loves this story, and so do I.

What I Dislike: Nothing. This book is exceptional.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Kristina Seleshanko
Christian Children's Book Review

This is a very sweet story, but I was surprised about the reference to Jesus and God. The author writes about Mr. Keller and how he thought about the many times God had come to him in love. At first Mr. Keller "had pulled back. Then, one day he trusted Jesus and gave Him complete control over his life." Or another example: "Am I willing to go where the Lord sends me, no matter how hard it seems? Am I as happy and eager to obey God's commands as Lass is to carry out mine?"

This may be exactly the way you wish to teach your children or grandchildren, but just be aware of the religious content in the book since it may not be for everyone, and it isn't appropriate for public classrooms where there may be children of various backgrounds and religions.

The perspective of the Sheep dog and his master spoke to my heart as I compared how I relate to God. For me, I saw how God works with me and transforms me with His love. I am going to buy some and give them as gifts.