The rabbits live in true community as they prepare for eventual battle, and continue developing beautiful skills of creativity, artisanship and industry. “Everywhere they looked, energetic work was underway.” p. Smith utilizes a great deal of Christian imagery throughout the book. “Now, they do other work like everyone else: gardening, cleaning, teaching - whatever’s needed. We see similar ideas within the early church.Īll the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…” Acts 2:44-46Įndearing characters are introduced, such as the slightly bumbling, clay-flinging Eefaw Potter, or the sweet, grandmotherly sage, Old Mrs. They slowly begin to help heal and strengthen the aching hearts of Heather and Picket as they grow into the vision of Cloud Mountain. I won’t reveal what events transpire, but they are distressing to the rabbit siblings, and demonstrate how betrayal and true evil exist even in their fantasy world. It is a glorious tale of fighting evil in unison. If you finish the book and find yourself wanting more, just look for the sequel, Ember Falls, which follows Heather and Picket into the next part of their tale.Heather and Picket are fully aware they are still in middle of their story. Readers will find wonderful, inspiring quotes and some hilarious ones that may well make it into their own worldviews, such as “Too little salt is an insult and too much salt is an assault.” If you like Brian Jacques’s Redwall series, you will surely like this.įor children not yet ready to read Redwall, this book may be a gentle introduction to animals living out medieval times, what with its narrators being children themselves. The settings of serene meadows, terrifying woods, and strange and beautiful burrows are depicted in a way that make you feel part of the wonder the rabbit narrators are experiencing.
What unfolds will encourage self-belief for many a young reader. There are fallen kings, hope for new princes, rabbits bearing swords, terrifying wolves, found family, and lost family. These young rabbits were raised on stories of adventure, and they suddenly find themselves in the middle of one. Heather and Picket are rabbit siblings that are forced to leave their comfortable lives to embark on a harrowing journey. It takes place in a world of animals on the brink of war. It is beautifully written, and adults looking for chapter books to read aloud with their children will surely enjoy experiencing this book as well. Smith’s fantasy novel is a wonderful read for young children who enjoy tales of adventure and mysterious journeys.
0 kommentar(er)
