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?

(top secret surprise party link here)

Andrew's birthday is TOMORROW! Here's where the party's happening. :-) I know several of you are working on birthday fan art (thank you!). If you'd like to get involved in that, you can find instructions in last week's post.

Don't tell! He will be so surprised! ;-)

::vanishes::

The Andrew birthday project, 2019

Featherheads, our dear author's birthday is next Tuesday! Each year around these parts we throw him a surprise party in the forum (he might be catching on). It is so happy to love, dear readers, and so fun to pounce somebody we love. :-)

While I'm getting the decorations up and making a (digital) cake for our forum-party, would you all like to think up some good fan art for him? I know your art is something he particularly loves, and it would make his day to find his inbox full of your wondrous drawings. You can send it via email or snail-post. Instructions are on the Art By You page.

(Remember... this is a SECRET. Don't tell Andrew.)

See you in the forum next week!

Heidi's honeymuffins

New fan art! One of my favorite things! This is from Heidi, age 8. She is her family's Song and Dance Maiden, and has been learning some art also (THAGS!). If you've read through the first few chapters of The Warden and the Wolf King, you may recognize this scene. ;-)

What do you see? I see one somewhat-nauseated boy, one proud mama, and one hilariously unsympathetic blue-eyed wolf. These expressive faces crack me up, especially the one on the right. So good, Heidi! Thank you for sharing. :-)

Readers, if you'd like to see your fan art featured here, you can send drawings to Andrew via email or snail mail. Check out the Art By You page for instructions. I can't wait to see what you come up with. :-)

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. :-)