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Henri and the Magnificent Snort : A Children’s Book about Bullying, Belonging, and Love
We are all unique. It’s the one thing that we all have in common. Henri, as it turns out, has something especially unique about him. Henri is a French bulldog, and he snorts instead of barking. This was not something Henri noticed or cared about until he and his owner relocated, and he started attending doggie daycare. Henri quickly becomes the target of some genuinely intense bullying from the other dogs. With the new nickname “Pig Dog,” Henri finds himself sad and confused. He even doubts that his wonderful mom will want him around if she realizes he is a Pig Dog.
Henri and the Magnificent Snort, written by Samantha Childs and illustrated by Hannah Farr, is the story of one little French bulldog’s experience with bullying. In this exceptionally well-structured and lovingly-penned tale, Childs sheds light on bullying in a way young readers will both understand and appreciate. Henri is lovable, and readers will cheer for him throughout this precious tale.
Childs’s book is simply a stunning work of children’s literature. I cannot say enough about the impact this book will have on young readers. The use of dogs, rhyming text, and an absolutely beautiful collection of touching illustrations make Childs and Farr’s book a future classic.
Henri and the Magnificent Snort, written by Samantha Childs and illustrated by Hannah Farr, is an invaluable book in bullying education. The lessons about self-confidence, self-worth, and acceptance combine to create a must-have story for elementary classrooms, homeschool programs, and school guidance counselors. I highly recommend Childs and Farr’s book to anyone looking for an easy-to-understand, rhyming storyline to help teach young readers how to value themselves and others.
Pages: 60 | ISBN : 0692149570 | Website
Belonging
Belonging is a collection of short quirky stories. From teen romances to the supernatural among other literary gems. You will encounter Jun as he meets Ming and promises to love her to his dying father. Who knew rare flowers could change your life? You will also meet Blaine who is rejected by Rebecca twice for different reasons. It is safe to say that it is not his poverty or his wealth, it is him. She is just not that into him. There is also Danny and the girl who faked amnesia. Learning French so he can profess his love to Gayle despite having messed everything up so royally. Then you will meet Judy and the boys who stumble upon something strange while scouring for party things. Not to mention Draquela and her sass. Each story a fun tale of one thing or another.
The one thing that is common throughout the book is the vivid imagery the writer applies. For example, “luminous moon suspended over gentle tranquil waters”. Not only does this sentence embrace you like warm fleece, but it also creates an image in your mind that places the characters right where they need to be. The writer knows how to set a scene. The very first story brings some of Oscar Wilde’s greatest works to mind.
These stories all portray people who belong with others. While this may not be the thematic intention, it still shines through. Ming and Jun belong with each other despite the circumstances that brought them together. Judy and the boys belong in their little group despite all the flirting. Blaine did not belong with Rebecca. If he had recognized this sooner perhaps he would have been able to find where he does. We all belong somewhere.
These are wonderful short stories. Perfect for a slow day to just enjoy. However, the prose in some of the stories is a tad jerky. This means that the setting changes abruptly with little warning. Some of them feel a bit rushed. The book and the stories are still enjoyable though. They are interesting with relatable characters. Most of the characters may be teenagers but they represent something we all recognize in ourselves.
Pages: 86
Suffering Ends When Awakening Begins
![Suffering Ends When Awakening Begins by [Crown, Robert]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/517ASFNXk0L.jpg)
As a reader of Robert Crown’s Suffering Ends When Awakening Begins, from the moment I started reading to closing the book, I was completely hooked. The mix of of suspense and the unknown along with themes of death, betrayal, and loyalty is a great example of the new age and spirtuality genre. Crown does an amazing job at writing this inspiring true story whilst still inflicting a sense of uncertainty and eeriness to his readers.
Suffering Ends When Awakening Begins is based on a true story about childhood and growing up. A book complete with struggle, hardship, journies, and belonging. Robert Crown attempts to captivate his readers by using a dark childhood to demonstrate the importance of positivity and embracing the future.
What really enticed me whilst reading this book is the narration. The first person narration created that extra appeal. Reading an account of a person’s life really puts things into perspective for me. I love this idea that you can really learn from someone else’s life experiences, no matter how far away they are from your own.
For me, the book acts as a great reminder that no matter what you face in life, you will be able to conquer anything you set your mind to. No matter the hardship, no matter the isolation, no matter the fear, everyone has a tough interior – they just need to find it and use it!
Although Suffering Ends When Awakening Begins provides an epic depiction of the author’s challenges in life, we are also subject to a particular thought process. As I was reading I was constantly thinking to myself: if he could overcome these tragic moments in life, then so can I. This book left me feeling a sense of positivity. Although I have no idea what the author’s events could possibly have felt like, I felt as though my own struggles in life really help you to connect to the author and to the narrative.
The writing is clear and focused, which has a heavy focus on descriptions and impact. The writing provides a clear account of how one’s life can be instantly turned upside down. The writing assumes that, despite the rollercoaster ride of events, you can still come out of it a much stronger, happier person. This is something I think that everyone longs for, isn’t it? And reading this book is a great demonstration of just that!
Suffering Ends When Awakening Begins was by far one of the best books I have read for a long time. It has everything – originality, a clear thought process, a personal touch. For this reason, and all of the above, I would like to award this book an extremely deserving 5 out of 5 stars. I could immerse myself in the events of the book, and despite not actually going through these events myself, I felt as though the author described them to the point that I felt as though they were real and emotional.
I have very little negative points to say in regards to the book. The writer expertly conveys themes of betrayal, relationships, past vs. future and childhood. An emotive, beautiful piece of personal writing brought to you by Robert Crown. A fantastic read for anyone who enjoys themes including life experiences, childhood, longing, journeying on, and betrayal. This book is bound to get your heart racing whilst putting you on the edge of your seat!
Pages: 290 | ASIN: B077DWRSK5
My Lonely Room
![My Lonely Room by [Vikara, John A.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51soq8PfXVL._SY346_.jpg)
My Lonely Room is an outstanding contribution to the world of literary world, tacking themes of belonging and loneliness. The author, John Vikara, provides a novel which opens up a whole range of emotions. From feelings of isolation to intense moments of journeying-through, Vikara’s emotional rollercoaster of a story provides nothing more than a personal and intimate style of writing that gets the book off to an excellent start.
Set in the fifties, the reader is able to envision what life was like back then (for all those lucky younger readers), or recap on childhood memories (for our more mature readers). Vikara tries to write stories that appear to be realistic, creating a sense of nostalgia. Jimmy’s journey for companionship and experience allow the story to move at a steady pace, whilst constantly maintain the attention of its readers.
What struck me the most whilst reading My Lonely Room is how the writing left me feeling slightly pessimistic. The protagonist, Jimmy, grows up in a world where he feels like he never belongs. Everyone finds comfort in one place or another. Whether that comfort is in a person, a particular place, or a particular thought, everyone is able to ‘zone out’ and enter that place of pure comfort and safety. For Jimmy, his bedroom is the only comfort that he can find.
One of the great things that Vikara articulates in his writing is the importance of real-life issues. The author of My Lonely Room reinforces key issues which are undoubtedly present in our everyday lives – we’re simply oblivious to it! Issues of isolation, relationships, fears, friendships and journeying on are all real life ideas that the majority of readers can relate to. As a reader of this personal journey into a world that is quite off-putting to some, I found it a truly remarkable account of events, which left me feeling slightly overwhelmed, pessimistic and a sense of sadness.
This book really opened my eyes to a new genre of books. A book that was easy to follow, written with flair and creative thought, and the author’s skill of plotting and maintain the story are some of the reasons as to why I have rated this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars.
I can honestly say that I have not read and enjoyed a book as much as this book. Whilst I think that the ending of the novel was not as strong as it could have been, I think that John Vikara is an inspirational writer whose ideas and thoughts are put across in an interesting, intense, and captivating way.
An articulate, creative and highly imaginative novel blending an array of themes and emotions with real life experiences. Hats off to the author of this guide. An enjoyable read for the right reader who shows a similar interest to that of the authors.
Pages: 141 | ASIN: B01N7YYC4T
LITERARY TITAN 