Polly, Stubble and Al
By D.B Silvis
It is a rare opportunity that the staff at Truth About Books is contacted to review a children’s book. And typically when we are the enthusiasm level is barely above ground. No one rushes to grab the assignment. However, when I opened DB Silvas’ book, Polly, Stubble and Al, the illustrations alone transported me to a place I’d forgotten existed. It was a place of smiles and I was pleased to be there.
On the edge of Wolfe Lake lives the Donovan family; Ben, Sara, their two children, and their pets. Their daughters, Megan and Katie, are two years apart, 6 and 8-years-old respectively. However, the unique part about this family is their pets. The first is Stubby, a cute bulldog who lazes around much of the day when the family isn’t involved in some activity. Then there is Polly, a multi-colored talking parrot who stays in a cage in the glass enclosed patio area.
But the star of them all is the least likely pet one can imagine, Al, the black crow. Al is a character all his own. As an injured crow, Sara brought him back to health and he adopted the family – whether they wanted him to or not. The strangest thing about this crow is that he talks like a parrot would. Although some of the neighbors like Ms. K, the German woman who chases him away in her bathrobe or Mrs. Boyle might sometimes prefer he were a bit less mischievous, but overall he is well-loved.
The illustrations in Polly, Stubble & Al are amazing. I’d go as far as saying they should be award-winning. They’re so realistic and definitely reflected the visions I had of Polly, Stubble and Al and all their hi-jinks. You watch the story unfold not only in words but in pictures.
I highly recommend this children’s book to anyone with children, or those adults who just want to smile. Not only does it have great illustrations, perfect characters, but also a nice story to wrap it all up in.
By D.B Silvis
It is a rare opportunity that the staff at Truth About Books is contacted to review a children’s book. And typically when we are the enthusiasm level is barely above ground. No one rushes to grab the assignment. However, when I opened DB Silvas’ book, Polly, Stubble and Al, the illustrations alone transported me to a place I’d forgotten existed. It was a place of smiles and I was pleased to be there.
On the edge of Wolfe Lake lives the Donovan family; Ben, Sara, their two children, and their pets. Their daughters, Megan and Katie, are two years apart, 6 and 8-years-old respectively. However, the unique part about this family is their pets. The first is Stubby, a cute bulldog who lazes around much of the day when the family isn’t involved in some activity. Then there is Polly, a multi-colored talking parrot who stays in a cage in the glass enclosed patio area.
But the star of them all is the least likely pet one can imagine, Al, the black crow. Al is a character all his own. As an injured crow, Sara brought him back to health and he adopted the family – whether they wanted him to or not. The strangest thing about this crow is that he talks like a parrot would. Although some of the neighbors like Ms. K, the German woman who chases him away in her bathrobe or Mrs. Boyle might sometimes prefer he were a bit less mischievous, but overall he is well-loved.
The illustrations in Polly, Stubble & Al are amazing. I’d go as far as saying they should be award-winning. They’re so realistic and definitely reflected the visions I had of Polly, Stubble and Al and all their hi-jinks. You watch the story unfold not only in words but in pictures.
I highly recommend this children’s book to anyone with children, or those adults who just want to smile. Not only does it have great illustrations, perfect characters, but also a nice story to wrap it all up in.