Review Detail

a review by L. Robinson

Since I'm an animal lover, I was intrigued by Aileen Stewart's short stories using different animals as her characters in Fern Valley. I thought she cleverly named the characters so that a child could easily identify the animal. I particularly liked Kimmy Curlytail, the pig, and Betsy Woolrich, the lamb. The author did an excellent job of telling fun stories that depict situations and trials that children face growing up today, while weaving conscience, consequences, and morals into the plots as well. There are lessons children can learn, such as what happens when they desire to keep something that doesn't belong to them, and how they have a responsibility to work to help earn something they want badly. I think it would be fun as well as beneficial for children to have Fern Valley in their library, particularly those old enough to read for themselves and enjoy the adorable illustrations.
Linda Robinson, author of When Love Abounds