Near and Deer

"Near and Deer" by Sylvia Liu is a delightful and engaging children's book that combines storytelling with educational elements. The book centers around a child who navigates the challenges of growing up while exploring the wonders of nature and animals. Liu's narrative is both charming and informative, making it a wonderful read for children. The book’s pacing and structure are well-suited for children, making it easy for them to follow along and become invested in the characters’ journey.

The story itself is both entertaining and educational. Liu skillfully incorporates themes of friendship, courage, and discovery, providing children with valuable life lessons in a way that is accessible and engaging. The book’s ability to blend show more these themes with an engaging narrative makes it an excellent choice for young readers, as it not only entertains but also imparts important values. The moral lessons woven into the story are presented in a gentle, yet impactful manner, fostering a sense of empathy and making it a valuable addition to any young reader's collection. show less

This is a sweet book with a charming ending. Sienna grapples with her anxieties while taking on working at her parents’ inn and caring for a young fawn. The vocabulary and concepts demonstrated by the younger characters was a little inconsistent, but the portrayal of a kiddo’s frustration of not being heard by adults was done well. Mushrooms and wildlife!

While the cover of this book is adorable, it doesn't hint at the depth of the story inside. Sienna is a multi-dimensional character whose struggles will draw you in. The interconnectedness of trees, animals, fungi, and people portrayed in this story make it meaningful and allows the reader to connect to broader themes.

I enjoyed this school age read. I won this book from Scholastic and the author and I found it very interesting. I've given this a 4.5 * rating. I found some of the words a little hard to understand. As a 69 year old grandmother, I might move this to a little older group but the actual story seems right for the grade school age. The actual social issue might be understood more by the little older group also. I would list this as a tween age group story. It was a very good story for the teen aged readers.