Book Review: God’s Hammer by Eric Schumacher

Tags

Book Review, Eric Schumacher, God's Hammer, Hakon's Saga, Historical Fiction, Medieval

Title: God’s Hammer (Book 1 in Hakon’s Saga)

Author: Eric Schumacher

Independently Published in 2005

352 Pages (Paperback)

Blurb: History and legend combine in the gripping tale of Hakon Haraldsson, a Christian boy who once fought for the High Seat of a Viking realm.

It is 935 A.D. and the North is in turmoil. King Harald Fairhair has died, leaving the High Seat of the realm to his murderous son, Erik Bloodaxe. To solidify his claim, Erik ruthlessly disposes of all claimants to his throne, save one: his youngest brother Hakon.

Erik’s surviving enemies send a ship to Wessex, where the Christian King Athelstan is raising Hakon. Unable to avoid his fate, he returns to the Viking North to face his brother and claim his birthright, only to discover that victory will demand sacrifices beyond his wildest nightmares.

I was swept up in the action and enthralled by the descriptions of Hakon’s struggle. -Roundtable Reviews-
I highly recommend this historical fiction novel, both for its entertaining story and historical information. -Historical Fiction Review-

My Take: This book gripped me from the first chapters and never let me go. The further I got into the book, the harder it became to put down at the end of a lunch break or when it was time for bed. The appeal in the book was more than the excellent immersion into medieval England, Viking culture, and the conflict of a Christian King ruling over a pagan group of people. The storytelling and character development were excellent, making me care about Hakon and those he came to care about along the way.

The historical expertise of Mr. Schumacher is on full display throughout the entire story. He manages to make the period of history come alive, complete with the conflict that surfaced as Christianity and Paganism clashed. Hakon himself is an outcast everywhere he goes: his story begins as a Pagan child coming to serve under a Christian king. When Hakon’s father dies, he returns to his homeland as a Christian leading Pagans. And this is where the greatest conflict arises, and is handled quite well along the way. By the end of the book, there isn’t some magical conversion of the entire country, so there is promise for continued tension in the sequel.

Overall this was one of my favorite reads of the year. It has great historical immersion, an engaging plot, internal and external conflict on multiple levels, and complex characters. What more could you ask for from a book? I’m very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens in the aftermath of God’s Hammer.

 

Advertisement

Book Review: A Patch on the Peak of Ararat by Gary Bower

Tags

A Faith that God Built book, A Patch on the Peak of Ararat, Barbara Chotiner, Book Review, Children's Book, Christian, Flood, Gary Bower, Genesis, Noah, Tyndale Kids

Title: A Patch on the Peak of Ararat

Series: A Faith that God Built book

Author: Gary Bower

Illustrated by: Barbara Chotiner

Published by: Tyndale Kids (February 2, 2017)

Pages: 32 (Hardcover)

Blurb: The Faith that God Built series by Gary Bower uses the same whimsical style of storytelling as The House that Jack Built, using rhyme to introduce preschoolers through second graders to favorite Bible stories. Gary has a well-developed talent for creating engaging narratives that also teach biblical truth through rhyme.

In Patch on the Peak of Ararat, Noah follows God’s plan, resulting in his rescue from destruction.

My Take: This book promises whimsical storytelling, and in that I suppose it delivers. Many of the pages are packed full of words, with each new element in the story being added in to the repetitive cycle of the story. This is definitely a pattern that children in the targeted age range, preschool through second grade, might enjoy. It also helps to prompt memorization after enough reads, because the pattern of adding to that repeating chorus of phrases.

The illustrations are pleasant to see, displaying Noah and his sons and the ark and pairs of animals. There is some good color, and so it will hold some visual appeal to children. One thing that confused me, though, was the choice of animal inclusions. For instance, page 19 mentions hamster and hippo, hyena and hare. The images on the two shown pages have hippos and hares, but also peacocks and bears (instead of hamsters and hyenas). I would have expected the images to match the words, especially in the instances where those animals are mentioned so you, or your child, can point to each of them as they are mentioned.

I like how the final page not only has a nice, colorful image, but it also has a memory verse and directs the reader on where to find the full story in the Bible (Genesis 6-9, in case you are curious). This is a nice inclusion, and could be a great lead-in as the children get older. Overall this is a nice children’s book for any collection. Kids will enjoy the repetitive style of storytelling, and it succeeds at helping to learn the story of Noah and the flood.

Book Review: Blood and Bile by J.C. Boyd & Joshua Robertson

Tags

Blood and Bile, Book Review, Crimson Edge Press, Dark Fantasy, J.C. Boyd, Joshua Robertson, Legacy Series

Title: Blood and Bile

Series: Book #1 in the Legacy Series

Authors: J.C. Boyd and Joshua Robertson

Published on: June 7, 2017 (Crimson Edge Press)

Pages: 310 Pages (eBook)

Blurb: “Before the world came to be, there was nary beginning nor end, nary sky-shield nor night-wheel, nary war-garb nor shield-foe, nary fate-heeder nor fate-weaver, nor any thing living or dying or dead.”Ranvir ripped meat from bone, the dew of deep wounds dribbling between his fingers. He packed the flesh into his teeth-house, chewing happily.

His wife gaped at him, word-land soundless, forehead-stones devoured long ago, and wound-necklace torn from ear to ear.

She had never looked more beautiful.

His hands probed into her blood’s-seat for another bite, nails scraping against cartilage, fingers squeezing organ and fat, seeking a tasty morsel.

Ranvir heard the rasping of his tent flap open, but did not turn from his meal. Snaer’s brisk breath briefly touched his back. and then he felt it no more. He swallowed another mouthful and pulled at his wife’s skin to gaze at the glossy remains.

A voice, light and feminine, spoke.

“Ranvir?”

My Thoughts: I have read a few books, short and long, by the tandem of Boyd and Robertson. There is no hesitation when I declare this is, without question, the best of their books that I have read so far. It exceeded every expectation I had going into the book, and was such a joy to read. However, this book will not be for every fantasy reader.

To understand why this was a hit for me, you must understand my ancillary interests reside in Medieval Literature and culture. I read Viking Sagas and am working to learn Old English on my own. I am immersed in that time period in a scholarly manner, even if self-directed in nature. Because of this interest, there are many things within this story that hit the right spots for me. From the smattering of kennings woven throughout, to the throw-back to archaic language, to the culture and dark setting itself; all of these things are almost as if they were planted into the story just for me.

That isn’t to say that an interest in those things are essential to enjoying the story – they merely enhanced the work that was already there and Boyd did a fantastic job with weaving them all into the story. The story itself is masterful in its own unique way and it holds Robertson’s markings all over it. The characters are interesting, the problems that arise are interesting and keep you wanting to turn page after page. The story is very unconventional in its own way – readers of modern fantasy may find themselves wishing the story was a bit faster in pace and that more things would simply happen. That, too, is a harkening to the older age of literature.

I applaud Boyd and Robertson for taking steps back toward the roots of literature in this Dark Fantasy series. It won’t be for every reader, but it dares to be bold and hearken to the days when stories needed less action and was able to be more about development and setting and evoking the time period. This book sets the stage for a promising series, one that I plan to purchase every installment of as they are released.

If you want a traditional fantasy, dark or otherwise, this might not be the book for you. But if you are willing to take a chance on a book that blends modern and ancient, that pulses with the lifeblood of the old world, and a book that makes kennings a pure delight to read once again, then this is a book you should not miss.

What Reviewers are Saying About A Merchant in Oria

Tags

A Merchant in Oria, Book Review, Fantasy, Novella

My first fantasy novella, A Merchant in Oria, has been out for just over three weeks now, and the reviews are beginning to trickle in. I could tell you all about why you should read this novella, but it sounds like even more fun to let these first reviews deliver some reasons to pick up your copy today:

“From the opening line straight to the end, there is enough adventure and fast paced action to keep the reader enthralled. There is no chance for your mind to escape this story. You’ll find yourself deep in the clutches of Firion, Melody, and the rest of the cast.”

“Wiley runs at a fast pace from good sell to kingdom won, at the perfect speed for an easy read on the beach, during a plane ride, or just a lazy afternoon spent in another world. This is one story I’ll read over and over again.”

“The plot was engaging, following the lines one expects of classic fantasy. If you are looking for fantasy that is light (as opposed to dark) and at times humorous in tone (along the lines of, say, Jeffrey M. Poole’s Lost City), then you’ll probably enjoy this story. The nod to bearded dwarf women made me smile!”

“Initially I felt rather annoyed with the main character (whose naiveté seemed to border on willful self-delusion) only to realize later that his attitude is probably also the primary reason he turns out to be the ideal hero for Oria. “

“Like most of us readers, lowly Firion doubts he has it in him to overcome his fear and be strong enough to save Melody and perhaps the rest of Oria. Is that what a hero does? “No, a true hero steps up and does the right thing because he sees a problem needing to be solved,” his mentor Tyron tells him. We can guess that Firion plays the part of hero, but how he goes about it is worth the read. David Wiley believes in his characters and makes fantastical figures come to life.”

“A Merchant in Oria is a novella set in a fantasy world populated by humans, dwarves, and lizard-men. It has the feel of a familiar, traditional fantasy setting, as found in Tolkien’s work. However, this story is more humorous and light-hearted. “

“I enjoyed reading this book. It is a short read; I read it over lunch. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy stories looking for a quick read. “

“This was a cute little novella. In such a short amount of time, the author manages to convey enough information that the world doesn’t feel flat. To be perfectly honest, the way it was set up made it read like a side quest in Skyrim. That helped with envisioning the setting. There was some interesting character development to be had. Some of it ended up entangled in the romantic subplot, but that honestly made it better.”

“A quick and easy fantasy read. It was cute, funny, and tied things up at the end. Characters and story were both engaging. It was a well-written, fairly original storyline.”

So don’t forget to add it to your Goodreads Bookshelf!

Purchase on Amazon

Purchase on Barnes & Noble

Purchase on Smashwords

Medieval Book Club: Revelations of Divine Love

Tags

Book Review, Julian of Norwich, Medieval Book Club, Medieval Literature, Revelations of Divine Love

Welcome to the fifth Medieval Book Club post on this blog. Here I will share some of my thoughts on the book, some observations on the material itself, and open a few questions toward you, the reader.

In case you missed it, for June we’re going to be reading three Anglo-Saxon Poems: Judith, the Dream of the Rood, and Juliana. Those poems are ones you can read free online, just follow the link to my preview post and you will find the link there to the poems. I hope you can join me for next month’s discussion as well, and I’ll be keeping this going all year long with posts on every third Thursday of each month in 2017.

My Thoughts: Let’s start off by being honest…this book left me disappointed. Last year I read a very brief biography of Julian of Norwich and that had me excited to dive into this book. And maybe that was the problem: I was expecting great things. And this book, while worthwhile to read and perhaps study, simply didn’t blow me away. I’m starting to think it is a “its not you, its me” thing, because I felt the same way about Augustine’s Confessions when I finally read that one. Which is a shortcoming on my side of things, because I know these are both worthwhile reads that holds merit in spite of the age of the writing. And I certainly found great things to mine from both of those texts. Revelations of Divine Love is full of thoughts and ideas that were, at the time, quite revolutionary in their scope and understanding. But it ends up being a book that I will probably never feel the urge to revisit again.

In spite of all of this, it certainly is a quotable book. So rather than focus on my own inability to enjoy a Medieval Christian text, I’ll focus more on sharing a few of the quotes that stood out to me. I did find that the reading of both the Short Text and the Long Text were a bit redundant. Perhaps it would be better if they weren’t read back-to-back. But overall there wasn’t too much in the Long Text, in terms of new thoughts, so it felt very repetitive when I was going through it. This is certainly a book where, if I revisited it again, I would probably choose one or the other to read through rather than both.

“… so our customary practice of prayer was brought to mind: how through our ignorance and inexperience in the ways of love we spend so much time on petition. I saw that it is indeed more worthy of God and more truly pleasing to him that through his goodness we should pray with full confidence, and by his grace cling to him with real understanding and unshakeable love, than that we should go on making as many petitions as our souls are capable of.”

“…we need to fall, and we need to be aware of it; for if we did not fall, we should not know how weak and wretched we are of ourselves, nor should we know our Maker’s marvellous love so fully…”

“…deeds are done which appear so evil to us and people suffer such terrible evils that it does not seem as though any good will ever come of them; and we consider this, sorrowing and grieving over it so that we cannot find peace in the blessed contemplation of God as we should do; and this is why: our reasoning powers are so blind now, so humble and so simple, that we cannot know the high, marvelous wisdom, the might and the goodness of the Holy Trinity. And this is what he means where he says, ‘You shall see for yourself that all manner of things shall be well’, as if he said, ‘Pay attention to this now, faithfully and confidently, and at the end of time you will truly see it in the fullness of joy.”

“And I saw that truly nothing happens by accident or luck, but everything by God’s wise providence. If it seems to be accident or luck from our point of view, our blindness and lack of foreknowledge is the cause; for matters that have been in God’s foreseeing wisdom since before time began befall us suddenly, all unawares; and so in our blindness and ignorance we say that this is accident or luck, but to our Lord God it is not so.”

“Grace transforms our failings full of dread into abundant, endless comfort … our failings full of shame into a noble, glorious rising … our dying full of sorrow into holy, blissful life. …. Just as our contrariness here on earth brings us pain, shame and sorrow, so grace brings us surpassing comfort, glory, and bliss in heaven … And that shall be a property of blessed love, that we shall know in God, which we might never have known without first experiencing woe.”

So my overall impression was that I wanted to like the book, and there is so much good, quotable material, but I found it to be a chore to read by the time I was immersed into the Long Text. It was certainly a worthwhile read, but not one I will be revisiting anytime soon. And if I do revisit it, I will probably not read both versions but instead choose one or the other.

What quotes stood out to you? Were there any thoughts and ideas that surprised you, based on the time period in which this was written?

Book Review: Urban Mythology by Eric Keizer

Tags

Book Review, Eric Keizer, OWS Ink, LLC., poetry, Urban Mythology

Title: Urban Mythology

Author: Eric Keizer

Published by: OWS Ink, LLC (April 7, 2017)

Page Count: 72 Pages (Paperback)

Blurb: Eric Keizer, in his first poetry chapbook, documents the places in, and the people of, Chicago who have made lasting impressions in his life. He celebrates the commonalities all Chicagoans share, while typing the Classics to modern life in the urban landscape, as viewed through his unique perspective.

My Take: I have never been to Chicago, although it is a city within reasonable proximity from where I live. I am certain that those who have been to Chicago will gain deeper appreciation for the nuances of Keizer’s poetry, and moreso those who live there. Yet even if you have never been to Chicago, you can get a real sense of the urban life there by reading this collection of poetry.

I have never been a big reader of modern poetry. I prefer to dive into Medieval and Renaissance poetry. Keizer’s poetry is both modern and classical, a perfect pairing of today’s world with elements of myth and legend that the older poets built their foundation upon. Keizer is the most pre-modern modern poet I have ever read, and that makes me excited to dive into more of his poetry. It is the sort of poetry that most readers can enjoy, with allusions to today’s world and elements woven in with subtle hints of myths. Thus why the name, Urban Mythology, is perfectly appropriate for such a collection.

There is little risk to be run in reading this collection. The chapbook of poems is the perfect length to whet your appetite and familiarize you with Keizer’s poetic style. I look forward to the next chapbook that Keizer releases, and would invite you to give this one a try. You may find, like me, that Keizer is a modern poet worth keeping an eye on.

Book Review: Paul the Apostle: A Graphic Novel

Tags

Beartruth Collective, Ben Avery, Book Review, BookCrash, Graphic Novel, Mark Harmon, Paul the Apostle, Sci-Fi

Title: Paul the Apostle: A Graphic Novel

Author: Ben Avery

Illustrator: Mark Harmon

Published by: Beartruth Collective, LLC; 1st edition (2016)

Page Count: 144 Pages (Hardcover)

Blurb: Looking for new ways to inspire your children to read the Bible? Experience the biblically based account of Paul the Apostle in a COMIC BOOK format kids LOVE! Paul’s life story, told to us in the Book of Acts, is filled with bravery, adventure, miracles, faith, and salvation, yet many people are not aware of Paul’s amazing life. In Paul the Apostle: A Graphic Novel, we have made the action packed Bible story of Paul more accessible for kids of all ages, using a visual language they love and understand: science fiction COMIC BOOKS! Our 144-page full color graphic novel (a fancy term for a really long comic book) uses awesome looking cartoon creatures, set in an action packed futuristic science-fiction universe. Kids LOVE it! And parents do too!

My Take: I always find myself enjoying the opportunity to read a graphic novel; sadly, they simply don’t surface on my reading radar often enough. So I jumped at the opportunity to read a Sci-Fi-themed retelling of the story of Paul the Apostle. After reading this book, I am convinced that I really, really need to read more graphic novels in the future because this one was a lot of fun to read.

First off, the visuals in the book are amazing. Mark Harmon did an excellent job in bringing a diverse futuristic universe come alive on the pages of this book. This is packed with colorful images that contain immersive scenery and a plethora of alien beings that are plentiful. This is a very appealing book to flip through even apart from the experience of reading the text. And if that was all there was to this book, that would be enough to make this a wonderful experience.

But the text itself is great. It follows the story of Paul, recounting scenes such as his transition from being Saul the Pharisee to becoming Paul. The scenes stay true to the source material, being innovative yet faithful along the way with this retheming of a familiar figure from the Bible. And, to boot, there are frequent references at the bottom of the pages to where a person can find the corresponding scenes in their Bible. It all works well together to take a story that is exciting and well-known and transitioning it to a medium where many can really enjoy the story. This is perfect for children and for adults, and makes a good material for a father to use as bonding time with their children.

I can’t recommend this enough. While some might hesitate due to the idea of taking a Biblical story and putting it in space, the author stays very true to the material and always points the reader back to the Biblical source. It functions as a great way to build interest early, even in those who already know and are interested in the Biblical stories. I cannot wait to see what other volumes they release through the Beartruth collective, although I’m hoping for Joshua, Judges, Elijah’s story, or King David’s stories. All of those would be great in graphic form.

**The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book through BookCrash in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase the book at the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Apostle-Graphic-Ben-Avery/dp/B01MSMVD1I/ref=nav_signin?ie=UTF8&qid=1493844461&sr=8-3&keywords=paul+the+apostle+graphic+novel&

Book Review: The Name of Death by Joshua Robertson

Tags

Book Review, Crimson Edge Press, Dark Fantasy, Joshua Robertson, Short Stories, The Name of Death

Title: The Name of Death

Author: Joshua Robertson

Published by: Crimson Edge Press (January 2, 2017)

Page Count: 39 (ebook)

Blurb: Drada Koehn is a fearless, formidable fighter ensnared in a presaged war against the northern humans. When the Speaker foretells their victory upon discovery of the name of death, she sets out to unravel the mysterious prophecy. Now, bound by duty and honor, Drada faces untold horrors with her companions, searching for what may never be found. In a story of unexpected twists, she soon finds that her resolve to see the quest done will be the fortune or doom of her people.

My Take: I had the impression, after reading Grimsdalr and Anaerfell, that Joshua Robertson was a talented writer. This novella confirmed everything I believed about his talent level and more.

The tale begins with Drada, a fierce female who is on a quest to learn the name of death. Early in the tale, it becomes clear that death is pursuing her and her companions. The tale is short, yet in that space of time there is plenty of development for the characters, the location, and even some backstory about what is taking place in the world beyond what these characters are experiencing. Joshua is able to weave so much into such a short space, and it is all done extremely well. I felt like I knew the characters and some of their struggles and the reasons behind the war raging among the races.

Joshua is an author of Dark Fantasy, and there certainly is no departure from that genre in this story. But that is to be expected with a title like The Name of Death. If you picked it up seeking a happy ending, you didn’t really pay attention to the title. But this story is worth it. So, so worth it. And at the current price of FREE, there is no reason to not download and read this one. It will end up being worth the 30-60 minutes of your time.

I look forward to reading more by Joshua, including his trilogy of books now that they are all available. If you haven’t read anything by this talented author, do yourself a favor and pick up this book and start reading today.

Book Review: Priceless Treasures and Ghastly by Thomas Olivieri

Tags

Book Review, Halloween, Indie Author, Priceless Treasures and Ghastly, Thomas Olivieri

Title: Priceless Treasures and Ghastly: A Slight Collection of Hallowe’en Tales and Miscellanea

Author: Thomas Olivieri

Published: October 25, 2016

42 Pages

Blurb: THESE days, Hallowe’en is a night of ghosts, celebrated by people who can longer believe in them, a day of tricks, treats, and twilight. A night when — sanctioned by custom — the proudest and most willful child politely begs for candy at strangers’ doors and the most docile child transforms in a monster. It is a day to celebrate neither the carven pumpkin nor the illuminating candle, but rather the shadows that they cast, and the unseen things that flit about them. Perhaps it won’t be this way for long — it is becoming increasingly commercialized and is losing its uncanniness as it moves away from the days of All Hallows and All Souls — but it promises to remain so for a while yet. The night of ghouls, the night of saints, and the night of penitents make an uncomfortable arc — they stand for three aspects of life that don’t fit in very well our society anymore, but will always remain part of us. The stories, poems, commentary, and images in this slight collection have been designed to return you to those strange old times. They are not particularly horrific or terrifying — rather, they are uneasy, uncanny, and gently unsettling, harkening back to the folklore of fairies and saints, knights and dragons, mead halls and castles, masquerades and Hallow-Mass gatherings. We hope that you find them whimsical and off-beat. We hope that you find them unusual and bizarre. We hope that you have a Happy Hallowe’en

My Take: This was a great little collection of flash fiction and poetry that revolves around a Halloween theme. Each addition in this volume, whether written or illustrated, helps to add to the theme that seeps through the collection. It is definitely a fitting volume to be read during the month of October, something I was unfortunately unable to do. However, it really evokes the holiday’s theme well.

As with every collection, some stories really shine more than others based upon each individual’s taste. They are all great to read and interesting in their own way. There are some darker tales, such as “Snakes and Cigarettes”, and there are those which dip into genre fiction, such as “Kings and Saints and Knights”. With such a small volume, and the short length of each inclusion, you will find yourself flipping the pages quickly until you reach the end. In fact, the biggest complaint I had was that it ended far too soon. A longer piece, or a few more shorter pieces, would have been a welcome inclusion.

This is definitely a volume worth reading through, and Thomas Olivieri is an author worth keeping your eye on. I am confident more great fiction will appear under his name in the future.

 

Book Review: Good Good Father for Little Ones by Chris Tomlin

Tags

Board Book, Book Review, Children's, Chris Tomlin, Christian, Good Good Father for Little Ones, Pat Barrett, Thomas Nelson

Title: Good Good Father for Little Ones

Authors: Chris Tomlin and Pat Barrett

Published by: Thomas Nelson, brdbk edition (1/31/17)

24 Pages

Blurb: Inspired by the #1 hit song “Good Good Father,” as heard on Chris Tomlin’s new album

“Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like . . . but I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night . . . and you tell me that you’re pleased . . . and that I’m never alone. You’re a good good Father.”

Experience the truth of God’s love for His children in refreshing, heartwarming ways through the children’s board book Good Good Father for Little Ones, illustrated with stunning art by Lorna Hussey and penned by Grammy Award-winning Christian music artist Chris Tomlin and Pat Barrett.

With sweet, rhyming text, Good Good Father for Little Ones explores many of the attributes that make God such a good, good Father: like a warrior, He protects you; like a teacher, He helps you learn and grow; like a doctor, He makes you feel better; like a farmer, He provides the food you need; like a musician, He brings you joy. Most of all, a good, good Father loves you!

Based on the children’s picture book Good Good Father, this precious rhyming adaptation will leave little ones with a greater assurance that God truly is a good, good Father and they are loved by Him.

My Thoughts: This book has quickly become one of my favorites to read at night with my son. It has everything I look for in a book to read with him at night: a solid Biblical message, colorful and engaging pictures, more than a word or two on each page. The book has also, as a side effect, also led me to play the song more often at home simply because it reminds me of the book.

The overarching theme in this book covers all of the qualities of God, the Good Good Father. It never comes out and names God as that Good Good Father, which allows a teaching moment as your children get older. This version is wonderful, covering more than six different things that God is, such as a doctor and a teacher. The depiction of Him as a lion is fitting and appropriate, both for those who search the Scriptures and for those who are fans of Narnia.

Its length is definitely appropriate for my little one, who is currently 8-months. He is engaged throughout and loves to help turn the pages. There are some board books that carry on just a little too long for his attention span at night, but this is one we can always finish before he gets too impatient. Therefore I cannot recommend this book enough for little ones, and I have a feeling this one will remain a staple in our children’s book collection through all of our future little ones.