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Ecosystems & Economics
for Young Readers
Mom's View: Childrens Book Reviews | by Paula Behr
Too Many Murkles, by Heidi Charissa Schmidt, illustrated by Mary Gregg Byrne (Illumination
Arts), for ages 4 to 9
Murkles, stinky little creatures, invade the town of Summerville every year. The
townspeople fight to keep them away until little Juliana lets one sneak by. Juliana's
choice to let the Murkle waddle through town leads to a series of events that first
appear to be disastrous, but the village ecosystem and its people begin to thrive
as creative and confident Juliana teaches her community to look at problems with
a fresh perspective, let nature practice its infinite wisdom, and to open packages
of problems with the heart and find the gift within.
The Merbaby, by Teresa Bateman, illustrated by Patience Brewster (Holiday House),
for ages 4 to 8
Tarron's life is filled with drudgery as he works aboard his stern, taskmaster brother's
fishing ship. His dreams of buying his own boat seem leagues away until he scoops
up a beautiful Merbaby in his net. Now Tarron must decide if he will sell the smiling
sea cherub to make lots of cash or if he will return her to her watery home. Suspense
bubbles up as Tarron ponders weighty ethical issues such as buying personal happiness
at the expense of others and what it means for landfolk to unthinkingly plunder a
world that is shared by Merfolk and other creatures.
Paula
Behr is a journalist and mother of two. She is dedicated to finding and sharing children's
books with gentle and loving messages. Contact her at cyberbehrs@earthlink.net
Copyright © 2005 Paula Behr. All rights reserved.
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| February 2005 |
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