Drifting toward Christmas, a story for young readers!
Don't let the title fool you –Three of the bells are the children of Dr. Bell who, with their friends, live the adventures of youth with all it’s fun, mishaps, and adventures for the daring. They don't do impossible things like ride on dragons or become invisible. Their adventures really could happen! The children are great role models; they're feisty and independent, yet still respectful of their elders. They're imaginative but know when to set aside their fantasies and deal with realities.
The adults take a back seat in this book, generally, but they're there. This one, especially, can be seen as a test by the parents to see how responsible their children are, and it's implicit that the kids are doing their best to prove themselves to their parents. The parents don't neglect them, they're there if they're needed, and check up on them regularly, but they also give them space to ramble and have an adventure.
Today it may seem as if parents are letting their kids run wild; but I think families today could use books like this. When you have kids who are shuttled back and forth to band practice and swim team and heaven knows what else, they need the time to just relax and let things happen. When kids live in front of the TV and play video and computer games all day, they need to be reminded that there are all sorts of adventure outside. When kids are smothered by overprotective or controlling parents, they need space to be independent and prove themselves.
Today it may seem as if these parents are letting their kids run wild; but I think families today could use books like this. When you have kids who are shuttled back and forth to band practice and swim team and heaven knows what else, they need the time to just relax and let things happen. When kids live in front of the TV and play video and computer games all day, they need to be reminded that there is all sorts of adventure outside. When kids are smothered by overprotective or controlling parents, they need space to be independent and prove themselves.
I highly recommend this for older readers, for children who enjoy the great outdoors or for children who have the opportunities and need to be inspired to take them. Adults, who have happy memories of exploring will enjoy this as well, and it may inspire more adventures.
( Follow the Bells in their next adventure, Bells in the Fog. )