Review of The Realm

[kandscreeley]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Realm" by Maury Franklin.]

---

3 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

The Realm is a collection of short stories that each have a moral. The author, Maury Franklin, likens them to Aesop's Fables. These stories all feature animals. In one of the stories, for example, Grasshopper takes lessons from Frog and Butterfly in order to learn to be like them. Spider tells him that he's perfect just the way he is.

The author states that this book is meant for ages 12 to 19. Vocabulary such as "ambitious" and "serenaded" fits this level; however, the illustrations make the book seem as if it's for a younger audience, perhaps those of elementary age. Reading these aloud would be a great option because the lessons could also be discussed. Also of note, some stories are a bit violent. I wouldn't consider them gory, but parents will want to screen this book before allowing younger or more sensitive children to read it.

Some of the stories were one page with a picture opposite. Others were a total of four pages with the illustration. All illustrations are colorful and fun. These drawings will help children to picture the characters and setting while holding their attention.

Each story ends with an inspirational quote that goes along with it. This helps to bring home the moral of the story. According to my research, though, a quote cited from Abraham Lincoln appears to be false. If there was any doubt, another quote should have been used. Also, the very last story has no quote. I felt like a strong quote to bring everything home would have been a better ending.

While each story has a moral or lesson, some of the lessons seem only loosely related to the tale told. For example, in one story at location 36, Oriole and Beaver have a discussion about who the better builder is. Beaver tells Oriole that she needs to toot her own horn because "nobody else will toot it for her." The quote used to bring this lesson home is by Pericles and is as follows. "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." To me, it just didn't quite fit.

To sum up, I enjoyed reading The Realm and meeting all these fun animal characters. Still, the book could use some work in the way of which quotes are used and what lessons are conveyed. Therefore, I rate it 3 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to anyone that enjoys Aesop's Fables. It's most appropriate for readers in middle school, but anyone that enjoys beautiful pictures and short stories with a lesson might enjoy this book. There is an allusion to the biblical flood. However, there's no scripture or preaching. Thus, the book should be suitable for adherents of all religions.

******
The Realm
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Nwankwo GC]

A collection of short stories will be a great read. I'll check this out when I find time between reviews. Well done.

[cutemami]

I knew i would like this book from the moment i saw the cover. This review makes me realise that i was right to like this book and i would like to read it sometime.

[kandscreeley]

A collection of short stories will be a great read. I'll check this out when I find time between reviews. Well done.

I hope you enjoy it. The illustrations are lovely! Thanks for commenting.

[kandscreeley]

I knew i would like this book from the moment i saw the cover. This review makes me realise that i was right to like this book and i would like to read it sometime.

I hope you enjoy it. It's a fun read with great drawings.

[Mbenma Esther 080]

Reading books open my mind to more realities that can be obtainable unreal life and equips my imaginative mind to be creative. I enjoyed every bit of this review. Awesome and honest review.

[Pauls_]

A colorful book with moral lesson, what more befitting is there for children. Lovely review.

[kandscreeley]

A colorful book with moral lesson, what more befitting is there for children. Lovely review.

It's an interesting book. I do recommend it. Thanks!

[Mildred Echesa]

The book has a lot to offer and I bet I would the illustrations. Great review

[Humera955]

Aesop's Fables is something i would definitely would want to try.
Thanks for this amazing reveiw

[kandscreeley]

The book has a lot to offer and I bet I would the illustrations. Great review

The illustrations are beautiful. Very fun to look at. It was a fun read. Thanks.

[kandscreeley]

Aesop's Fables is something i would definitely would want to try.
Thanks for this amazing reveiw

If you like Aesop's Fables, you'll probably want to try this book. Thanks!

[Muna Chizzy]

This book sounds like a fun read. Children will definitely love this animal story. The pictures used in this book makes it more interesting. Thanks for the great review.

[kandscreeley]

This book sounds like a fun read. Children will definitely love this animal story. The pictures used in this book makes it more interesting. Thanks for the great review.

The pictures definitely made the story. Thanks!

[Ellylion]

Sounds like a fun read for a young audience. Animal stories are always engaging, in my opinion. Thanks for a great review!