Customer Reviews

Rosey: The Imperfect Angel (The Imperfect Angels Series)

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

 

 

This is a wonderful book written by the mother of a cleft-affected child. I purchased this book for my son, who was also born with a cleft lip and palate. I found the author's words to be sweet, encouraging, and uplifting. It is a fitting tribute to children who are different, in whatever way, from their peers. I would recommend this book to anyone who knows and/or loves a cleft-affected child (or adult). I plan to share it with my son's class when he enters school, and with the second graders I teach.

I feel bad giving such a poor review to a book with such good intentions. It was written by a mother of a cleft-affected child and is the only book I know of so far that is geared toward the child--not the parent or clinician. However, we received this book four years ago as a gift from my mother's friend after our daughter was born with a cleft lip and misshappen palate. The woman who gave us the book had a granddaughter with a cleft palate and thought this book was just wonderful and comforting. When I had a chance to read through the entire story I was so depressed I felt teary.

In the story, Rosy is one of many little angels cultivating gardens. While the other little angel girls are given beautiful lush gardens, Rosy is given a barren rock garden where nothing will grow. Finally after struggling to make a beautiful garden it is only Rosy's tears of frustration that make her garden bloom. This book just played upon my fears of a childhood filled with frustration and tears for my daughter.

I have put the book on a shelf in the closet and have never read it to my daughter even though it is written at about the same level as the picture books we read all the time. I occassionally take a look through the book to see if my opinion has changed but so far I have yet to find comfort in this story. At four my daughter is happy, social and completely undaunted by her rather significantly misshappen mouth. It seems like too much of a downer to read this story to her now. The only reasons I gave the book 2 stars are that clearly the woman who gave us the book as a gift found some comfort in the tale. I also know that my daughter's perspective on her cleft may change as she enters elementary school and if she does begin to view her cleft as a terrible hardship she may relate to Rosy's struggle. My fingers are crossed in hopes that she never feels like she's been given a barren rock garden to till.

This book was recommended by my daughter's kindergarten teacher as her first take-home library book. It is an excellent book to teach tolerance, perserverance and acceptance. It is written specifically about a cleft lip child/angel, but the lesson carries over to any kind of difference. I would recommend the book for kindergartners with an advanced vocabulary and older.

I recieved this book as a gift from my aunt back when I was younger and after a search to find it I realized that it meant something to me. It is one of those books that a person will take to heart, especially those born with cleft lip/cleft palate like me. I ocassionally read it (now that I found it) and it always makes me smile. It is a great read in general for all and the messages of the story will take time to figure out because not everyone will get the same message and feeling from the book. Hope that helps!!

This is not a book I'd want to share with my children, one of whom was born with a bi-lateral cleft lip/palate. It's intended "positive message" falls short. The Christianity model, however re-spun, meant to be progressive, is a real turn-off. Illustrations are poor, writing is even less accomplished.

I wish I hadn't bought it.