Lin Oliver

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I picked up this book, the first in a series written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. No, there is no typo in this review, as it is the same Mr. Winkler many of you may know from the television show Happy Days, and this is surprisingly not the first time the “Fonz” has worked with Ms. Oliver to write a book. After doing some online research, and reading over the Acknowledgements page at the back of this story, it was interesting to find out that show more their collaboration has been going on for two decades!

Now that I have that aside, onto the plot…

Willow Feathers, a curious little duckling, is being raised by her father, a beaver, in Dogwood Pond, and dreams about becoming a detective someday. On the lookout for a mystery to solve, she soon meets a puzzling challenge when a large, black object lands smack-dab in their pond and disturbs Harry the catfish from where he had been resting. Sal the salamander suspects that it is an alien spaceship carrying one-eyed aliens that will eat them all, just like in the comic books he reads from a nearby campground. But when Willow begins to investigate the object further, she discovers the truth about the item with the help of her friends. Together, they work at removing the mysterious object from their home as they learn what large impacts a small act can do.

The illustrations and quality of the book are worth mentioning as a bonus to the storyline, which is also well-written and incorporates some older sayings I can picture Mr. Winkler speaking. I found the message of environmental mindfulness to be one that is not shoved onto the reader, but is still a part of the plotline in a meaningful way. As I read the book, I could not stop myself from saying “Swiper, no swiping,” from Dora as a similar occurrence happens with a not-so-beloved weasel throughout the story. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes animal stories, themes of overcoming obstacles, and a message of continuing to follow your dreams, even when the road gets a little tough. It would also be a great gift or a donation to a Little Free Library. show less

I thought this book was a good way for children to understand learning disabilities. The characters did seem a bit above the second-grade level. I also thought there was a little bit more bullying than was necessary, but it may be that it really is typical of bullies. This book definitely had boyish humor in it.

This book isn't bad per se. Some of the poems are sweet. some are odd. I do love that the poems basically progress through a baby's day--from digging in the kitchen drawers to the blanket they sleep with. Still, I know there are books very similar that I like better.

This was the first book in Battle of the Books that I've finished so far. Winkler does a terrific job of getting into the head of a boy with learning challenges. Hank Zipzer has a hell of a time in school, mostly because his head isn't suited for learning in the traditional, acceptable way. His way of dealing with the struggle to write a 5 paragraph essay on his summer vacation inspires the book's title (without giving a whole lot away).

This is the first book in what appears to be a pretty show more big series. Alena thought it was okay, but there are other books so far that she's enjoyed more. show less