Reviews

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS

with Mary Harman

A tale of true love

George and Sylvia, by Michael Coleman and Tim Warnes. Little Tiger Press £8.99

THIS is a delightful children's book, telling the story of two gorillas madly in love with each other, but each afraid to tell the other how they felt.

George thought that Sylvia couldn't possibly love him because he was too big and fat and "Sylvia's slim, Sylvia's trim and I've got a shape that's really grim"; whilst Sylvia thought George's view would be that she was too small and skinny and "George is big, George is strong but I've got a shape that's gone all wrong".

Both set out to try and change their shape, and the book shows their attempts to do this, culminating at their arrival at a Valentine's Fancy Dress Ball where both are miserable because they can't find the object of their affections. As they turn to leave, a chance remark reveals the truth that each is looking for the other and they discard their finery, rejoicing in the fact that they were acceptable as they were, and lived happily ever after.

The children who looked at this book with me loved the colourful illustrations, and the rhymes, which the First School children quickly learned. The adults also enjoyed it, and felt that it would become a favourite with their children and a good tool to have on the bookshelves to illustrate the truths behind the story.

I felt that this book was simple enough to be used with pre-school children and would be enjoyed by First School children, too.

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS with Mary Harman A tale of true love George and Sylvia, by Michael Coleman and Tim Warnes. Little Tiger Press £8.99 THIS is a delightful children's book, telling the story of two gorillas madly in love with each other, but each afraid to tell the other how they felt. George thought that Sylvia couldn't possibly love him because he was too big and fat and "Sylvia's slim, Sylvia's trim and I've got a shape that's really grim"; whilst Sylvia thought George's view would be that she was too small and skinny and "George is big, George is strong but I've got a shape that's gone all wrong". Both set out to try and change their shape, and the book shows their attempts to do this, culminating at their arrival at a Valentine's Fancy Dress Ball where both are miserable because they can't find the object of their affections. As they turn to leave, a chance remark reveals the truth that each is looking for the other and they discard their finery, rejoicing in the fact that they were acceptable as they were, and lived happily ever after. The children who looked at this book with me loved the colourful illustrations, and the rhymes, which the First School children quickly learned. The adults also enjoyed it, and felt that it would become a favourite with their children and a good tool to have on the bookshelves to illustrate the truths behind the story. I felt that this book was simple enough to be used with pre-school children and would be enjoyed by First School children, too. Next page © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.