Member: EllenFeld

Hi Ellen:

Here's my review as posted on LibraryThing (I tried posting it on Amazon, but I didn't have an account. I opened one, but was told I had to buy something, then wait 24 hours)

Charles Dunham

Ellen F. Feld’s “Shadow, The Curious Morgan Horse,” is a visually stunning book. Illustrator Jeanne Mellin’s drawings delight with a fine use of color, often subdued, yet somehow striking at the same time. Eight full--page drawings-the originals undoubtedly suitable for framing--are supplemented with many other pages of both text and pictures. Murals made from this book would add charm and beauty to any child’s room.
Of course, the story’s the thing. Despite the full-page drawings, there is plenty of text. Feld tells the story of a young horse who falls for a rooster’s tales about a magic pond in the woods and goes in search of it. On the way she has some mishaps, though nothing to frighten Feld’s target audience of readers at a second grade level. In the end Shadow returns home to her mother with a new friend, Willow, a basset hound and some lessons learned. One, beware of braggarts, two, listen to your mother. This is a gentle tale.
Feld succeeds in the two most important tasks for a writer of books for children who are beginning to be able to read on their own, but still like to be read to. This is a book that children should like and adults won’t be bored with. My grandson is a second-grader who reads at a third grade level. He enjoyed the story. He didn’t have much trouble with the vocabulary, but he did find a few words a challenge. Feld has some longer sentences than I’d expect to find in a story for kids at this level, sentences not in the simple noun-verb-object formula, but they shouldn’t be difficult for younger readers and they make the story more palatable for adults.
This book would be a good addition to a library in any home with children.

posted by CharlesBoyd at 6:26 pm (EST) on Oct 26, 2009

Thank you, thank you!

posted by LadyD_Books at 8:02 pm (EST) on Oct 12, 2009

Thanks. Looking forward to it.

Charles Dunham

posted by CharlesBoyd at 5:08 pm (EST) on Oct 8, 2009

To those who were chosen to receive a review copy of either "Shadow" or "Rusty." I've been on a book signing tour for the last month and was unable to access my LibaryThing account from the road. I've just returned and so got the message today (10-8-09) from LibraryThing with members' names/addresses for the winners. The books were sent out immediately. I apologize for the delay. Thanks for your interest in my 'Morgan Horse' books and hope you enjoy your copy.

Ellen Feld
Willow Bend Publishing
www.willowbendpublishing.com

posted by EllenFeld at 2:40 pm (EST) on Oct 8, 2009