Review of The Pond of Reflection
Posted: 28 Sep 2023, 10:49
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Pond of Reflection" by Catherine Ann Russell.]
In a certain kingdom, the inhabitants lived in peace and harmony, content with what they had and satisfied with their self-awareness. Their king, called the Great Mouse King, was a responsive and humane leader who believed in self-discovery and being true to one's self. Because of the importance he placed on the nature of the inner self (call it character, personality, or temperament) over outward appearance, he banned the use of mirrors in his kingdom.
Everything was alright until Journee, the king's daughter, became curious and wanted to know how she looked. There was no mirror in the land, following the king's decree. The only way out was to embark on a trip to a mysterious pond called the Pond of Reflection. Obtaining her father's approval and blessings, Journee sets out with a horse named Mr. Steed to locate this pond. On the way, she meets Mr. Toad and Mr. Owl, and the journey becomes not only a search for self-awareness but an adventure that brings about memorable moments, friendships, and lessons on the interconnectedness of all living beings.
The Pond of Reflection, a children's story written by Catherine Ann Russell, is heavy with several positive values and moral lessons. It started with the beauty of good leadership, exemplified by the Great Mouse King, who was portrayed as good, kind, wise, and courageous, and how these values translated to creating a safe society and happy, patriotic citizens. This point is especially important, considering the many crises in the world today where some leaders tend to bully their countrymen into silence, resulting in mass uprisings, and where some societies place more importance on a person's outward appearance and social status than the content of a person's character.
I enjoyed reading the series of events that unfolded following the coming together of Journee, Mr. Steed, Mr. Toad, and Mr. Owl. It was so amazing how a mouse, a horse, a toad, and an owl, all from different species, could come together, respect their traits, and cooperate to achieve a target goal. The story shows the strength in diversity, as can be seen in many of the incidents that happened during this adventure; the benefits of teamwork, as can be seen in the incidents at the Whoami Forest; and just how peaceful and prosperous the world can be if we focus on the things that hold us together rather than what divides us (call it skin color, social status, profession, age, stature, or whatever label).
Also, I appreciated the illustrations; they provided a visual interpretation of some scenes. Furthermore, the "identity swap" scenes were particularly remarkable! The book was well edited as well; I found just one typographical error in it. Overall, I don't have any complaints to mention about this book. I had a great time reading it and am giving it five out of five stars for the invaluable positive values and the intriguing narration of Journee, Mr. Toad, Mr. Steed, and Mr. Owl's adventure to the Pond of Reflection. There is no reason to rate it lower. Readers aged five to eleven should have a memorable experience with this tale.
******
The Pond of Reflection
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In a certain kingdom, the inhabitants lived in peace and harmony, content with what they had and satisfied with their self-awareness. Their king, called the Great Mouse King, was a responsive and humane leader who believed in self-discovery and being true to one's self. Because of the importance he placed on the nature of the inner self (call it character, personality, or temperament) over outward appearance, he banned the use of mirrors in his kingdom.
Everything was alright until Journee, the king's daughter, became curious and wanted to know how she looked. There was no mirror in the land, following the king's decree. The only way out was to embark on a trip to a mysterious pond called the Pond of Reflection. Obtaining her father's approval and blessings, Journee sets out with a horse named Mr. Steed to locate this pond. On the way, she meets Mr. Toad and Mr. Owl, and the journey becomes not only a search for self-awareness but an adventure that brings about memorable moments, friendships, and lessons on the interconnectedness of all living beings.
The Pond of Reflection, a children's story written by Catherine Ann Russell, is heavy with several positive values and moral lessons. It started with the beauty of good leadership, exemplified by the Great Mouse King, who was portrayed as good, kind, wise, and courageous, and how these values translated to creating a safe society and happy, patriotic citizens. This point is especially important, considering the many crises in the world today where some leaders tend to bully their countrymen into silence, resulting in mass uprisings, and where some societies place more importance on a person's outward appearance and social status than the content of a person's character.
I enjoyed reading the series of events that unfolded following the coming together of Journee, Mr. Steed, Mr. Toad, and Mr. Owl. It was so amazing how a mouse, a horse, a toad, and an owl, all from different species, could come together, respect their traits, and cooperate to achieve a target goal. The story shows the strength in diversity, as can be seen in many of the incidents that happened during this adventure; the benefits of teamwork, as can be seen in the incidents at the Whoami Forest; and just how peaceful and prosperous the world can be if we focus on the things that hold us together rather than what divides us (call it skin color, social status, profession, age, stature, or whatever label).
Also, I appreciated the illustrations; they provided a visual interpretation of some scenes. Furthermore, the "identity swap" scenes were particularly remarkable! The book was well edited as well; I found just one typographical error in it. Overall, I don't have any complaints to mention about this book. I had a great time reading it and am giving it five out of five stars for the invaluable positive values and the intriguing narration of Journee, Mr. Toad, Mr. Steed, and Mr. Owl's adventure to the Pond of Reflection. There is no reason to rate it lower. Readers aged five to eleven should have a memorable experience with this tale.
******
The Pond of Reflection
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon