True heroism: A Wingfeather review

This is a beautiful review from David Hare, a Bible translator in Africa, who is learning along with Janner what it means to be a hero.

Surprisingly, for me at least, I very rarely find myself in a place where I just want to leave. ... But there are those days. ... On those days I find it difficult to remind myself of the hope, the love, and the compassion I know I should be feeling. And it is those days that I need little reminders to press on. Sometimes the reminder comes from my wife, who miraculously does not often feel the despair on the same day I do. Often it comes in the form of a passage of Scripture, or a quote from a missionary whom I know has endured much worse than me. And then every once in a while, it comes from a kid’s book.

For the rest of the review, click here. Thanks so much, David.

Do you ever feel discouraged? When you do, what helps?

One last Top Shelf review

What an encouragement it is to read reviews from people who love the Wingfeather Saga. It's been a privilege these last few weeks to share reviews of the whole series from Madelyn at The Corner Shelf. Here are a couple snippets from her review of book four, The Warden and the Wolf King.

...most stories worth telling are too large to fit in the pages... Such is the case with The Warden and the Wolf King. ...

This, my friends, is a good story.

Click through to read the rest of her review. Thanks, Madelyn!

Monster in the Hollows: Top Shelf review

Once again we have a review from Madelyn at the Corner Shelf, who says that The Monster in the Hollows just might be her favorite of the series.

This lesson goes deeper than just the fight against Gnag. Character is built partially by the stories we read and tell. When you read about Janner and Sara’s dedication, and passion for what is right, it’s contagious. It begins to affect you. You start to see the things in your life that are important, the ones that are costly to fight for.

I think character being built by the stories we read is something we can all identify with. :-) Thanks, Madelyn. Readers, you can read the rest of the review here. (And if you want to talk about what stories have shaped you, come on over to the forum.)

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Andrew's nearly finished with his Resurrection Letters tour, but if you happen to be near North Carolina or Virginia, there are two shows left. Check out info and tickets at his music site.

North: A review of magnificence

We're back this week with another Wingfeather review from Madelyn at The Corner Shelf—this one about North! Or Be Eaten, the second book in the series.

This is one of those stories that gives me the urge to say so many wonderful things about it, yet when I go to do so, I find myself utterly speechless. Such is the trademark of any magnificent story. ...

A brother and a brother. Following the one you know better than any other human. Loving the one who has proved himself to be unlovable more times than not. Protecting the one who wants nothing you have to offer.

Thanks again, Madelyn! Readers, visit The Corner Shelf for more of Madelyn's review. (Beware spoilers!)

A top shelf review

Madelyn of The Corner Shelf has recently reviewed the entire Wingfeather Saga, a book at a time, and I appreciated hearing about her experience of reading them. Here's a snippet from her review of the first book:

I’ll be honest. I was reluctant to pick this book up.

My brother read them in about a week, and told my Mom she needed to read them. So, she read them aloud, and the story got the better of me, and before I knew it, I was sitting right alongside the rest of the kids listening to this epic tale.

Since we first read them as a family a few years ago, I have re-read and re-listened to the audio books numerous times. The story only grows more beautiful with each time through. Something only the best of books can do.

Read the rest of the review here. I'll be back another day to post the next one. Thanks, Madelyn! It's an honor to be on your Top Shelf. :-)

In which Dave is not disappointed

Last week Andrew found mourning dove eggs; today I was greeted by the spring's first magpie. And, as promised, I have returnèd to bring you this excellent review of the Wingfeather Saga.

"Y’all, I was not disappointed."
And thus Dave (the fourth, in fact, Dave) begins his review. He continues:

Peterson masterfully combines the rich world-building of Tolkien with the child-like accessibility of Lewis. While he may not have gone as far as to create entire languages for his story, he does develop a bizarre and playful assortment of flora and fauna to inhabit this world he has created. In some ways, it’s a bit similar to J.K. Rowling’s use of details and description to flesh out the world that her characters inhabit. The result is an immersive reading experience.

Thank you, Dave! That's good company. Featherheads present and future, you may click here for the rest of that review.

A no-excuse review

Phill Lytle at Rambling Ever On confesses that it took him awhile to start, and then to continue, reading the Wingfeather Saga. In this short but heartfelt review, however, he lets us know that his reluctance has met a decisive end.

Yes, the books can be silly and quirky, but they are also epic and emotionally rich. It will come as no surprise to anyone who has read my stuff for REO, but I cried a lot reading this series. I cried because while the setting and the world is fantastical and whimsical, the characters are living, breathing people. They are spiritual and emotional creatures and their struggles and triumphs matter. They leave a mark.... [T]hese books work because they are more than just good stories.

Phill, I cried through the Igibys' story, too. Thanks for reading and loving these books.Everyone, you can read the rest of Phill's review here.

Wingfeather a Best Animated Short Film

We just got word that A Crow for the Carriage was one of IAMAG's favorite short films of 2018! It's an honor to be featured alongside other great short films such as TAIKO's One Small Step.Madame Sidler's review: Thermostat 6 contains a couple of minor subtitled swears, and Sonder and Look at Me deal with difficult subjects (divorce and alienation, respectively), so parents may want to preview. Personally, I was delighted by Scrambled—a super cute silent story about about Rubik's cube and a girl in a train station—and L'aviatrice, about the first European woman to break the sound barrier (also intense for a moment when she encounters a storm in midair). My Grandfather's Memory Book was excellent also. You can find the full top ten here! Thanks, IAMAP, and great job to our Wingfeather animators. :-)Featherheads, which films did you enjoy? Have you seen any other short films this year that you think belong on this list?