[ July/August 2003 ]

Good Books for Parents & Kids

Reviews by Dawn Brunke and Sherry Stultz

The Raven Who Spoke with God
By Christopher Foster
(Singing Spirit Books, 2001) $12.95, soft cover, 147 pages.
(see www.singingspiritbooks.com)

Joshua is a young raven who wonders if there is more to life than sleeping, flying and searching for food. His friends and siblings tease him and his father grows ever more impatient with his odd behavior. “What kind of a strange outcast am I?” asks Joshua. “Why am I so different from the other ravens?” When his mother tells Joshua stories of the ancient El-Shikur, a raven “determined to find the meaning of life and to reclaim the true destiny of the raven as a friend and helpmate to humankind,” Joshua’s journey begins. Struggling with some very hard lessons of life and death, Joshua is often doubtful and confused, and yet he continues to deepen in connection with inner guidance. Following his own unique path of enlightenment, Joshua becomes a modern day El-Shikur, ultimately rekindling the lost friendship between ravens and humankind. This is a wonderful book – well written, insightful and inspiring – that will engage adults as well as children. An excellent choice for family reading time on your next camping trip!

~Review by Dawn Brunke

Inside Out
By Wendy Stofan Halley, illustrated by Roberta Collier-Morales
(Illuminations Arts, 2003) hardcover, $15.95

Karly and her special friend Natasha jump on clouds, walk on the moon and bounce on the bed like kangaroos. When Karly wonders why her mom and others can’t see her friend, Natasha explains that she is a spirit, “kind of like an angel without wings.” With a shining smile and loving attitude, Natasha helps Karly remember her own inner spirit and the reasons why she came to earth. Inside Out is a book about remembering who we are. The presentation is lighthearted and lively, and the illustrations are bright, playful and appealing. A helpful teaching aid for parents who wish to explore spirituality and spirit guides with young children.

~Review by Dawn Brunke

The Turtle Saver
by Laurie Parker
(Quailridge Press, 2002) $16.95, hard cover.

Laurie Parker takes us on a fascinating journey of everyday life, observing the small
things that happen to us and showing just how connected we all are. From the tiniest “kerplop" to an old hat blowing over the hedge, an amazing story unfolds. This book is full of curious coincidences that will delight children while teaching them to appreciate the profound impact that a random act of kindness can have on the world. A small act of help from one man, the turtle saver, sets in motion a series of events that reveal the serendipitous nature of the universe. Illustrated by Parker in a unique style of delicate collage, The Turtle Saver is appropriate for children and adults, and is best read aloud to appreciate the poetic quality of the story.

~ Review by Sherry Stultz

Animals in the Stars: Chinese Astrology for Children
Written and illustrated by Gregory Crawford
(Bear Cub Books, 2002) hardcover, $15.95

My daughter loves to read the paper placements in Chinese restaurants – you know the kind, where you look for your birth year to determine if you are a Snake, Dog, Boar or Rabbit. While the placemats usually give only a few hints of what it means to be born in the Year of the Tiger or Monkey, this book offers much more. Not only will your child learn about Chinese Astrology and how each year was seen by the priests of old to be influenced by one of 12 animals, but enjoy Chinese fables about animals that shed light on how their qualities are used in guidance and teaching. This informative book for kids 8 and older is also fun and fascinating.

~ Review by Dawn Brunke

My Name is Buddy: A Story for Children about Brain Tumors
Dave Bauer (National Brain Tumor Foundation, 2002) soft cover, free.
(For a free book, call 800-934-CURE or email nbtf@braintumor.org. Visit www.braintumor.org for more information about the foundation.)

This little booklet is narrated by Buddy the dog who, at nine years of age, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Buddy shares his story of having a CAT scan (yes, I know, why would a dog get a CAT scan?), surgery, and radiation treatments through a simple yet engaging text supplemented with bright color photographs. Although Buddy’s treatment was not holistically-oriented, this is a helpful book for kids, especially those undergoing treatment for cancer and other serious conditions. After recovery, Buddy met with numerous children in similar situations and it is obvious that his story – along with his smiling, tail-wagging self – really did make a difference. Reading this book with your child and talking about it will make a difference too.

~Review by Dawn Brunke

Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent’s Guide
How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions about The Risks, Benefits and Alternatives
by Aviva Jill Romm
(Healing Arts Press, 2001) $16.95, soft cover

Do the risks of vaccination outweigh the benefits, or is it the other way around? Are some vaccines worse than others? How do vaccines work on the body, anyway?
Aviva Jill Romm, a professional midwife, practicing herbalist and mother of four, has done a brilliant job answering these questions and more. What is most appealing is that Romm presents the subject in an objective yet empowering fashion. To educate readers on how vaccines work, for example, Romm covers the basics of the immune system. For each vaccine, she presents the disease symptoms, the risks and complications, standard treatments and some additional food for thought. Also included are summaries of many vaccination studies and some of the problems inherent in interpreting the studies. Chapters on natural approaches to health and immunity, and herbal medicines and homeopathy in relation to childhood disease are a huge plus. This is a very thorough, insightful and well balanced book that is of immense value for making the right vaccination decisions for your family.

~Review by Dawn Brunke

Sharing Nature with Children (20th Anniversary Edition) and Sharing Nature with Children II
By Joseph Cornell
(Dawn Publications, 1998 and 1989)

Joseph Cornell’s classic parents’ and teachers’ nature awareness book for kids has sold almost half a million copies in over 15 languages. His 20th anniversary edition updates some of the original activities and includes several more. The sequel includes new games for children and adults as well as Cornell’s novel method of putting activities together for deeper insights. Each book has loads of events designed for groups, pairs or even solitary action. From scavenger hunts to bird calling, guided imagery to nature meditations, Cornell dovetails the path of knowledge with the path of heart. Also included are notations that show parents/teachers at a glance which games are good for introspection, activity, group work, etc. These are excellent summer books for you and your child – not only to deepen in relationship with nature, animals and each other, but to rediscover that learning really can be fun.

~Review by Dawn Brunke