OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Oregon Kids" by Bob Richley.]

The Oregon Kids: Runaway Whiskers by Bob Richley is an illustrated children's book that tells the story of Billy (9) and Autumn (6), two siblings who live in a small suburb of Oregon. One day, after visiting a petting zoo, Autumn dreamed about having a pet bunny of her own. She'd always loved animals but had no pets and bunnies were her favorite!

By pure coincidence, a little girl named Johanna who lived nearby ended up being surprised with a pet bunny by her father. She loved her dearly and named her Whiskers. Whiskers was kept in the garage in a cage and Johanna came and played with her every day. One day, Johanna went in the garage to play with Whiskers to find that the cage was open and Whiskers was gone! Johanna was crushed, and all she could do was hope that someone would find her and bring her back.

At that moment, Autumn was outside playing with her brother Billy. As luck would have it, Whiskers ran by and Autumn found her! Autumn wanted nothing more than to keep the bunny, but Billy and her father agreed they had to bring Whiskers back.

Runaway Whiskers, like many children's books, teaches a lesson - no matter how badly we want something, if it belongs to someone else we need to return it. Autumn wanted nothing more than a bunny, and it's easy to think that wanting one so badly and then having one randomly appear would be a blessing. It was no surprise, then, that Autumn didn't want to give Whiskers up. After he father explained that if Autumn had a pet that she loved dearly and it ran away she would want someone to return it she understood. In Autumn's case, she ends up losing a bunny but gains a new friend, and perhaps even more as the book goes on...

The illustrations in Runaway Whiskers are great. The cover is a perfect example - the image of the girl crying in her mom's arms is actually from the page where Johanna finds out Whiskers is gone. The facial expressions are sweet, and there are a few instances where it's impossible not to feel sad for Johanna or happy for the kids while they play. The book is formatted into dual-page images - there's one single image across both pages and the text is in white on the right page. This held true the entire book with one exception - there was one page where the image on the left side didn't match the right, and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't figure out why that background was chosen.

Runaway Whiskers is also the second book in "The Oregon Kids" series. The first, The Oregon Kids: The Big Catch was (I'm 99% sure but can't verify) an Online Book Club book of the day in the past. My review file (a .mobi file) for this book included a few pages of The Big Catch, and it reminded me of how silly and fun that book seemed. Although this is the second book of the series, it stands alone perfectly as well.

Between the excellent illustrations and a sweet, relatable story that tells an excellent lesson, my rating of The Oregon Kids: Runaway Whiskers by Bob Richley is 4 out of 4 stars. While some of the images could perhaps have used a bit more detail and the text was a bit small at times to fit on one page it's a fun, adorable children's book. On the Amazon page the recommended grade level is K-3 and I'd definitely agree, although I'd also add that any child getting a pet for the first time or who happens to find a missing pet (or wallet or anything else they really want but isn't theirs) could use this story.

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The Oregon Kids
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Like CataclysmicKnight's review? Post a comment saying so!

Sounds like such a valuable lesson for children - to return something that belongs to someone else. I think you're right, this could be applicable with any object that is found and doesn't belong to the finder. I love that the illustrations were done well; when looking at the cover, I can easily see easy it would be to feel for the characters, like you said. Too bad about some of the font being small and some images needing more details, but I'm glad that you were able to enjoy this read!

The first book was indeed the BOTD at the time. This sounds like a sweet kids' book as well. A fun story about a lost pet that teaches valuable lessons is a good book to have. I am not the target audience, so will pass. I am glad you enjoyed the book. Thank you for the review!

I definitely LOVE when the #BOTD is a children's book! Lessons kids learn through the experieces of other kids (or characters) are the best because it lets them know they are not alone in the world. Things always seem more devastating when you feel no one can relate to what you are going through. Sounds like a great book for kids, and I have downloaded my copy. Thank you so much for your review!

This book reminds me of the first time I got a pet and then lost it Books with sweet, relatable story that tells excellent lessons are always good to read.

This sounds like a fun story with nice illustrations. It's always good for children's stories like this to have a moral to go along with it. Thanks for another lovely review.

The valuable lesson from this book - do not keep (or get) what isn't yours - is something even adults should learn. "Finders, keepers!" has become the norm that we sometimes believe it is acceptable.

CataclysmicKnight, truly, the font is minuscule. I couldn't make out any of the words from my phone.

I had a pet bunny as a child. I think I would have enjoyed this book.

I had a pet bunny as a child. I think I would have enjoyed this book.

Each book, in my opinion, teaches lessons but in children's books these lessons are more obvious. Very often small chidren just do not understand the notion of stealing, if they want something they take it and if they are asked to give it back "a fit of anger errupts" and nothing seems to calm the child down. It is good that this book gives us a good example to learn that things should be returned to their owners. Thanks for the review.

Great review! This sounds like a wonderful book for little ones. With colorful illustrations and a terrific moral of right and wrong, a “do unto others” message it would make a great gift. Thanks so much for sharing.

"Honesty is the best policy."
"Finders should not be keepers."
This book teaches lessons to all people. This may be a children's book which lessons benefit the grown ups too.

Such a sweet children's story book! This will be a good read to parents who like reading children stories to their kids. However, the lesson it brings is for everyone, young or old. This work reminds us one of God's 10 commandments - not to keep what doesn't belong to you. And it applies not only to pets but to anything, even the non-material ones. Nice review. Thanks!

This book teaches how to be honest and responsible. Children understand better if values are taught through stories. Thanks for the review.

Great book to read mostly for our youth and children... theres allot of life lesson to learn...keep it up...