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The story is told in a very unpretentious style. Many of the recent children's books we see are so heavy with weight or wit that they are better for reading by yourself than to others. The simple sentences and matter-of-fact narrative in "Neem, The Half Boy" make it a pleasure to read aloud. It reminds me, in its honest simplicity of style, of Maurice Sendak's "Little Bear" stories and the writing... More

The story is told in a very unpretentious style. Many of the recent children's books we see are so heavy with weight or wit that they are better for reading by yourself than to others. The simple sentences and matter-of-fact narrative in "Neem, The Half Boy" make it a pleasure to read aloud. It reminds me, in its honest simplicity of style, of Maurice Sendak's "Little Bear" stories and the writings of Arnold Lobel, and that's high praise for me. Despite its simplicity however, there are powerful lessons here. The queen who starts eating a magic apple, only to lose focus and run off to do something else offers a familiar example for any child. "Do you know anyone who stops playing with a toy, and runs off to do something else, leaving the toy on the ground?" "Me." "Yup." The fact that it is also the cause of Neem's special condition makes the lesson memorable. Later, the Hich Hich fairies deliver a message from Arif the Wise Man to Neem incorrectly, with potentially dangerous results (Arif never says Neem has to drive the dragon away; the fairies add that themselves), and we were able to talk about the importance of saying what you mean and communicating what you hear accurately. Finally, the wisdom of the dragon in defusing Neem's aggressive approach with the simple question, "Why?", an honest explanation of his own situation and a willingness to share made the denouement of this book truly special and empowering. And, they all live happily ever after.

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