Author: David Michael Slater

ISBN: 0972-92251-2

Genre: Children’s Books

The following review was contributed by: Andrea Wren & CLICK TO VIEW Andrea Wren's Reviews

The sentiment in this children’s book is clear – it is about the struggle a young boy has in accustoming himself to the fact that his mother is remarrying, and no longer will it be just he and mum.

Westley enjoys playing pirates with his mum and though he doesn’t mind Stan joining in, he sees him on the periphery rather than in the family circle. After all, Stan won’t even wear an eye patch when he’s playing the game with them!

When mum announces she will be marrying Stan and asks Westley to be the ring bearer, Westley gets confused. He thinks she’s asked him to be a ring bear, which he doesn’t like. He decides he will become a nasty bear and will do his best to prevent the wedding from going ahead. The illustrations, by S. G. Brooks, depict the transformation from the young boy Westley into the grizzly beast set on a path of destruction.

The story does come good in the end, with mum and Stan catching on to Westley’s apprehensions, and doing their best at the wedding to make him feel that the changes will be for the better, rather than something to be frightened of.

Obviously, this book is a good one for any new or about-to-be step-families, or parents concerned that their child will be worried about changing family relations. Though I found the illustrations to be a little ‘dark’ and somewhat gloomy, the book on the whole is a charming story, and will suit younger children who need a little reassurance.