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dulcijlb said: As a follow-up to his first book, The Adventures of Seamus the Sheltie, James Beverly has created another wonderful way for parents to connect with their children and also provide them with important life lessons.
Beverly is obviously well qualified and experienced in knowing the scary challenges of childhood and has paved a compassionate way for learning and encouragement. The very act of reading out loud is a bonding experience for parent and child and the stories of Seamus are rooted in the realities of life tempered with great imagination and fun. Beverly also exhibits an obvious love of dogs and an uncommon understanding of their behavior and what they add to our lives.
The basis of the stories in Beverly’s new book, More Adventures of Seamus the Sheltie, come from parents who, no doubt, have struggled with the issues, values and lessons that lie at the heart of each story. The focus of both books is that understanding is an antidote for fear and leads to a kinder world. The wise parent will recognize that their children will encounter many and perhaps all of the challenges and value issues found in the books. The Seamus stories allow the imaginative parent to be proactive in preparing their children and giving them tools to deal with these challenges and make right decisions.
James Beverly uses a dialect for his hero, Seamus, which is endearing and fun. Dialect in a book can be an obstacle but Beverly’s is easy to master by the adventurous parent or even older sibling or grandparent. The discussion guide at the end of the book is concise but complete enough to guide a parent in a discussion. He achieves the right balance between explanation and brevity.
John C. New, Jr., DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Professor and Head
Department of Comparative Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Tennessee
tags: childhood fears, seamus the sheltie, james beverly, mental health, childrens books, childrens gifts. mom, , I recommend, parenting, reading, family values, I wrote, I read |
