Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: caring

  • Leaf-light

    Leaf-light

    Leaf-light is an enormous story with many characters, people, places, and messages. It is presented in a picture book format which allows ease of reading and lends itself to the colourful presentation. The story is set in Djaara Country which is situated around the area in Bendigo, Victoria.

    In the opening pages we see children in the bush. There is a small amount of dialogue, and the story tells us that it is Spring. The double page spreads change between cartoon style pictures and full-page spreads.

    There are stories about children interacting and having fun with a plank of wood, and the tiny illustrations show kangaroos, birds, lizards, wombats, and possums. The children are very creative making the plank into a diving board, see-saw and a perch in a tree. Their animal friends are very helpful and friendly.

    An emu egg is found by the families and hatched in an incubator. Everyone has a lot of fun watching the chick hatch, walk and then learn to run. The children collect all kinds of food for the chick to try. They learn not to get too fond of him as he needs to become independent in the bush.

    There are many wonderful stories in the pages, and much love and caring for animals and friends. Trace Balla has attempted to include many animals and birds from the area, and many of the adopted kangaroos and wombats have names. She has also included words in Djaara language with the permission of the elders.

    Leaf-light is a feast of stories, characters, lifestyles and animals. It is necessary to pore over each page then to later go back and look at it again. It is a stunning tribute to all those who care for others..

  • Heroes Next Door

    Heroes Next Door

    News these days is generally about doom and gloom and the resultant heartbreak; drought, fires and Corid-19. Authors Samuel Johnson and Hilde Hinton were inspired by the stories of ordinary people living extraordinary lives and by their belief in the magic of the human condition, to put together their book “”. It provides some balance to the pessimism, which pervades the world by highlighting the acts of kindness, bravery and goodwill by seemingly unremarkable people, who wish to improve the lives of others.

    Initially, the writers made it their mission to seek out everyday heroes, whose wonderful acts of compassion had the ability to turn adversity into triumph. These were reported on social media. In due time they were encouraged to compile 40 of these stories into a book. Each story is told with insight, compassion and a degree of humour, which will touch the reader’s life. Some heroes highlighted have faced adversity, severe medical conditions, cancer or loss, while others have seen a gap in society which needed filling in order to improve the lives of others. All special, getting on with life generally without accolades or commendations, they are the people who demonstrate that the world isn’t only filled with disaster and calamity.

    Readers who enjoy short human interest stories will find these stories both uplifting and inspirational. Every copy sold will contribute to Cancer Research.