Book Review: Winged Watchman

The Winged Watchman
by Hilda Van Stockum

Set in the mid-1940's, this is a story about a family living in Holland just prior to the end of World War II. We learn of the hardships faced by the people of Holland as well as their bravery in the face of Nazi occupation.

The story is told mostly from the point of view of Joris, a 10-year-old boy. Joris's father tends one of Holland's windmill's, the Watchman, and that is where the family makes their home. His family has little, yet shares what they have to help others. Ultimately, they become involved in the resistance movement at great personal risk.

The Nazi's are the villains, of course, but there are also traitorous Dutch who work with the occupiers to suppress their own people. There is always the threat of running afoul of someone wanting to curry favor with the Nazi's.

There are many disturbing scenes. Neighbors are found harboring fugitive English pilots, and they are carted off by soldiers. A Jewish family in the village is taken, with only the mother and baby daughter ultimately surviving. People from the cities are literally starving, and children wander the countryside in search of food. However, these ideas are presented gently and are mixed with the pleasantries of Joris's family life. We are shown repeatedly how faith sustains the family and guides their interactions with others.

Book Review: Egermeier's Bible Story Book

Egermeier's Bible Story Book
By Elsie E. Egermeier

I recently reviewed the Bible Study Guide for All Ages. In that review, I noted that I like to read through the Egermeier Bible Story Book with my kids around the ages 4-7.

We have a number of Bible story books around the house, but Egermeier's is by far our favorite. Many Bible story books give a cursory treatment to the stories, and some aren't even stories but simple rhymes. Egermeiers is neither cursory nor simple. It is thorough and meaty yet written at a level that is understandable to little minds. Difficult subjects are covered with an amazing sensitivity and not just omitted (think David & Bathsheba). I have found it faithful to the Bible in all details.

Snuggling on the couch for some Bible story time is a great pleasure with your little ones. The beautiful illustrations are so engaging, and our copy includes a list of comprehension questions in the back if you are interested in checking comprehension or reviewing the story.

Book Review: My Father's Dragon

My Father's Dragon
By Ruth Stiles Gannett

If you are in need of a short chapter book to capture the interest of a boy, My Father's Dragon is a great place to start.

It is a fanciful tale of a young boy, Elmer, who is persuaded by a stray cat to travel to Wild Island to free an enslaved baby dragon. The animals of Wild Island are notoriously vicious, and the cat warns Elmer that no explorer has ever returned from Wild Island. Undaunted, Elmer packs a backpack full of odd necessities and stows away on a ship to begin his journey. Once he has arrived at his destination, he uses his sharp thinking skills and the contents of his backpack to outwit animals on the island one by one.

The ten chapters are short and can each be read aloud in about five minutes. To further stimulate the imagination, the book includes a number of whimsical black and white illustrations.

I recently read this book to my 6 1/2 year-old son and 4 year-old daughter. Purposely, I chose to read them only one chapter per day. This kept them on the edge of their seats begging for more. As with any wonderful tale, they enjoyed it so much that they were sorry it had to end. The good news is that My Father's Dragon is the first book in a trilogy, so more literary adventures await them.

Here are the remaining two titles in the trilogy: