Reviewer Conny Withay:Operating her own business in office management since 1991, Conny is an avid reader and volunteers with the elderly playing her designed The Write Word Game. A cum laude graduate with a degree in art living in the Pacific Northwest, she is married with two sons, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.
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Author: Dr. Peter Isikwe
Illustrator: Mike Motz
Publisher: Peter J. Isikwe
ISBN: 978-0-692033050
“Jack learned a lot
today. He faced many different challenges, but he finished what he
started,” Dr. Peter Isikwe ends his children’s book, Jack’s
Awesome Adventure.
This unnumbered twenty-six-page paperback
targets children ages three to seven years old who enjoy a story
about accomplishing a task. With no scary scenes, it may be best read
out loud to beginner readers due to some complicated wording.
In
this short tale, young Jack spent all summer long designing a
birthday card for his grandmother. On her special day, a party is
planned for late afternoon, but Jack does not want to wait all day to
give it to her. Without his babysitter’s knowledge, he leaves the
house and walks to Grandma Tessy’s house by himself. On his way, he
almost gets lost in the rain, eats ice cream, and loses the cherished
card. After retracing his steps and finding the gift, he goes to his
grandma’s house for the party. He promises not to leave the house
without permission, and the sitter is informed of his whereabouts. He
learns about finishing what he started.
Deciding to do
something and following through to finish it is a worthy goal. I like
how the main character was determined to give his homemade birthday
card to his grandmother no matter what. The illustrations are
detailed, showing expressions with plenty of backgrounds young ones
can view. I appreciate that portions of the sales of the book will
help establish a children’s literature foundation.
Some
parents may not approve of a story about a boy leaving the house
without permission as it may give their child ideas, especially since
there were no repercussions for doing so. Others may not care for the
babysitter who focused more on her television show than the
child.
Isikwe is a pharmacist who loves to write, work with
children, and enjoy hip-hop culture. He lives in Virginia, spending
time with his family and friends. No information is provided on the
illustrator.
I wish the tale addressed discipline when doing
something wrong, the sitter’s lack of responsibility, and how the
boy bought the ice cream in more detail.
If you are looking
for a book that promotes finishing what is started, this one about a
boy delivering a birthday card may hold a young child’s interest,
but not all parents may agree with parts of it.
Thanks to
Bookpleasures and the author for this complimentary book that I am
freely evaluating.