Imaginative, Intergenerational, and Informative

Home

Book Reviews

The Ballad of Blue Eagle Reviews

Written by Richard R. Blake

Filled with characters with names like Arny Armadillo, Rio Raccoon, Toby Turple, and Petula Porcupine, Jones weaves a story around Peaceful Valley. The rhyming, metered verse, make this an enjoyable story for reading aloud. This inspirational story crosses generational lines and will be loved by young and old as Blue Eagle soars in the sky providing safety from evil forces, lurching in the shadows, waiting to invade Peaceful Valley.

As the animals of Peaceful Valley are playing "sneak and peek", Clugar, the carnivorous cougar, comes out of hiding. He begins to chase Sammy Squirrel. Pete Rabbit runs "like a bullet" to find Blue Eagle for help. Toby Turple talked to a cricket before taunting Clugar trying to distract him from chasing Sammy.

Blue Eagle comes to the rescue. Blue Eagle grasps Clugar with his strong talons and carries him away. Peace is restored to Peaceful Valley and its animal friends. Toby then tells the secret of "Cricket" another hero of the rescue.

Beautifully illustrated, by Steven E. Jones, Jr., the animals come to life as children identify their favorite animal friends, and enjoy the grandeur of Peaceful Valley.

I watched my grandchildren, ages 4 through 11 as their grandmother read them the story. All five grandchildren took in every word. Every eye was glued to the pictures as each page was turned. I found myself reminiscing back to my own childhood and the stories my father often told as he tucked us into the safety of our beds at night.

This Award Winning book is for the family, the classroom, and the school library. Steven E. Jones, Sr. opens the imagination of the reader through his words as Steven E. Jones, Jr. also stirs the imagination through his illustrations. The book is beautifully done and makes an ideal gift.

Who's Online