Review of Walter The Woogobee

[Seetha E]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Walter The Woogobee" by Brenda Beckelman.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Brenda Beckelman is an experienced educator with a passion for adventure books. Brenda, who has been married for over 20 years and is a mother of five grown-up children, describes herself as a child at heart, as evident in her book Walter the Woogobee: The Vortex to Vidza. She complements her unique storyline with stunning illustrations. The book is sure to capture the hearts of young readers.

The story starts with Walter, a cute pup-like creature, arriving on Earth in search of a new home after his planet was destroyed by an asteroid. With the help of his father's invention, the World Vortex Locator, Walter can travel through a vortex to different places in the galaxy. Upon unexpectedly landing on Earth, he meets a horse and a young man named Bayon. Bayon is intrigued by the device. With the push of another button, they are accidentally transported to a village called Vidza that is under attack by Wind Monsters. In Vidza, they meet Kian, the pathfinder scout of the village, who is on a mission to find a new homeland. Their journey takes them through dangerous lands. Will the trio succeed? For the full story, grab a copy of the book!
 
The book revolves around a character named Walter and his adventures. There are two other key characters, Bayon and Kian, who also display unique abilities. Walter is the lead character, as evident from his name and picture finding a place on the cover. Bayon is a human on Earth who is kind and willing to extend assistance in every way possible. Kian, too, is keen on accomplishing the assignment entrusted to her. The engaging adventure has other unique creatures as well.

The story includes a mix of human and animal characters, supernatural powers, and information spread out through illustrations. She successfully creates curiosity about a vortex. The illustrations deserve a special mention. All the illustrations are spot on, right from the cover to the last page. Each illustration in the book is impressive and engaging, making it appealing for kids.

The best aspect of the book is the lessons it teaches. It emphasizes the importance of being friendly and helpful and the significance of effective, unbiased, two-way communication in resolving issues. The author beautifully conveys the message of open conversation and the willingness to accept our faults. Most of the time, prejudiced opinions about the other side are the root cause of conflict. There's also a good balance of fantasy and scientific elements, adding to the curiosity it creates. 

While the Vidza episode comes to a close, Walter's initial search is left hanging, which might be part of a deliberate setup for a sequel. This aspect does not impact my ratings for the book in any way. I cannot think of anything else negative to say about the book. The story, illustrations, editing, and culmination are all top-notch. The editors have done a good job. Hence, considering the perfect blend of information, entertainment, and valuable life lessons, I offer this book a well-deserved five out of five stars. I highly recommend it for kids up to ten years old. It would make a great gift or a lovely addition to any school library.

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Walter The Woogobee
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[Gerry Steen]

I love the message that this children's book conveys: that to resolve problems and avoid unnecessary conflict, people must engage in open dialogue without any biases. People must be friendly and take care of their neighbors.

[Anu Anand]

The fantasy adventure sounds fun, but what stood out to me the most is the message about open communication and being kind. I’m curious to see how the story brings that out. Thanks for the lovely review. @Seetha E