© 2015 The Plough Publishing House, Walden, New York
Children’s books sometimes seem to be a dime a dozen. Often
authors of children’s books rise up out of almost every corner of the market.
Celebrities are the newest joiners into the competitive market of Children’s
reading material—often gaining sales for their celebrity instead the quality of
the book. So when I receive a book designed for children I look for several
indicators that the book will be appropriate for and appealing to children, as
well as enjoyable for parents to read to and with their children.
A big factor in children’s literature appeal is the
accompanying artwork. In this selection, illustrator Heike Sistig uses vibrant
colors, simple shapes, and touching scenery to convey the story being told by
the author. If one must find a drawback or flaw with the illustrations it would
be in the occasional overpowering backgrounds of the full-page illustrations.
But they don’t distract from the pictorial re-telling of the story for the
child-reader to associate with the tale.
Another major concern in children’s writing is the story
itself. Is it appropriate for young minds? Does it appeal to the child’s
senses? Are the sentences short and concise enough to engage the child in the
story? Schnee does it all. This story—the story of a third prince born into a
royal family (the new prince being noticeably different from the other people
of the kingdom)—has lots of adventure and appeal. For an added bonus, the story
is a lesson for everyone in the family as well as the kingdom. Without giving
too much away, this book gives parents of all types of children an opportunity
to talk about how one child can be different, but that can be okay. The author’s
personal experience (making the tale almost autobiographical) brings the story
to life. She surely was able to use the story to help her sons adjust to their
new brother. And now the world (thanks in part to excellent translation by Erna
Albertz) can do so as well.
If you, or someone you know has a child who is “a little
different” you will want to make this delightful book a part of your library.
Read it with your child. Let your child read it with you. Let the world know
that your child can be happy “just being himself.” (5 reading glasses)
—Benjamin Potter ,
September 2, 2015
[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free for the purposes of this review.]
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