Review by JonesLeeh -- A Long Ago place by Donna Betten

[Roy Nick]

[Following is a volunteer review of "A Long Ago place" by Donna Betten.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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A Long Ago place by Donna Betten is an interesting children’s book that may also be enjoyed by older audiences. The author dedicates it to all mothers in the world who were once little girls. The narrator flashes back to when she was a little girl, leaning her head gently on the back of a tree, while melodious sounds of birds fill her ear.

In the place, she dreamt of the mother she would become to Porky, Jemoo, Serena, Lindy Loo, Semolina, Wendy, Suzanna, Pinky, and the one-eyed teddy, Teddy. When their mother returns home from work, they all receive a kiss for being well-mannered. The image-making power of the mind is showcased in this tale.

I appreciated many aspects. Initially, the pictures included enhanced the book. I created lots of images in my head through the vivid descriptions involved in the tale. The pictures included of huts made me presume the environment was in an African setting. Therefore, I appreciate the author's cultural diversity. Children will love the language used. I often found myself reminiscing about the good old days as a child. Growing up, there was a massive tree I used to play with other kids. This book reminded me of those days.

Moreover, the background color and fonts will captivate a child’s attention. The picturesque appearances of the tree, clouds, pleasant fragrance in the air were captivating. The unity among the children was worth noting. Young kids could learn a lot from this book.

I did not detect any grammatical error; therefore, the installment is professionally edited. Reading of the one-eyed teddy, Teddy gave me cold shivers, as I often wondered the story behind his appearance. As a result, suspense builds up, making this work a page-turner. The stylistic devices employed will come in handy, and the book’s size will not overwhelm the targeted audience. Since I did not discover anything to loathe, I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to children between the ages of 8 and 10 years.

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A Long Ago place
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