Books In For Review

Here's a quick look at some of the books that have recently arrived for review.  Check them out and then stop by our site in a few weeks to read the reviews!





A Man in Control by Harry E. Gilleland, Jr. David Wynthers is a microbiology professor who needs to control all aspects of his life. His orderly world gets thrown into turmoil by the death of his wife. A cascade of events follows for Dave to cope with - murder, mystery,terrorists tracking him, sudden wealth, an intriguing police detective, and the FBI. Can Dave maintain control of the events swirling around him?  

The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki The year is 1853, and the Habsburgs are Europe’s most powerful ruling family. With his empire stretching from Austria to Russia, from Germany to Italy, Emperor Franz Joseph is young, rich, and ready to marry. Fifteen-year-old Elisabeth, “Sisi,” Duchess of Bavaria, travels to the Habsburg Court with her older sister, who is betrothed to the young emperor. But shortly after her arrival at court, Sisi finds herself in an unexpected dilemma: she has inadvertently fallen for and won the heart of her sister’s groom. Franz Joseph reneges on his earlier proposal and declares his intention to marry Sisi instead. Thrust onto the throne of Europe’s most treacherous imperial court, Sisi upsets political and familial loyalties in her quest to win, and keep, the love of her emperor, her people, and of the world.  

Sprouting Wings: The First Novel in the Alan Ericsson Series by Henry Faulkner Filled with the sights and sounds of the pre-World War II era, Sprouting Wings (the first novel in the Alan Ericsson series) pulls readers into the tensions of the daily life of our military men and women. From working with new equipment to working with the US Navy's diverse population--and strong egos--few punches are pulled as Alan finds himself riding the forefront of technology. Having survived a submarine sinking, can Alan make it as an aviator? Will he and his new love make it through months apart as they both pursue their dreams? Can love--and Alan--survive the lead-up to war?

The Ghost of Donley Farm by Jaime Gardner Johnson Rebecca, the red-tailed hawk, is not afraid of ghosts! One night, she bravely ventures into the barn to meet the famous ghost of Donley Farm. But when she finally meets him, Rebecca is surprised to discover that this “ghost” is much more familiar than she’d expected. Join Rebecca as she stays up late to talk with her new friend and find out what they have in common and how they are different.

Little Gray's Great Migration by Marta Lindsey Little Gray loved his lagoon and the humans who came to visit him there. One day, Mama announces that they must swim north to a far-away sea. At first he is sad to leave his home, but Little Gray soon realizes the importance of their journey. What happens along the way and how does Little Gray help his mother? Swim along with Little Gray as he finds the way to this special, food-filled sea.

Animal Eyes by Mary Holland The sense of sight helps an animal stay safe from predators, find food and shelter, defend its territory and care for its young. We can tell a lot about an animal from its eyes: whether it is predator or prey, whether it is more active during the day or night, and sometimes even its gender or age. Award-winning nature photographer and environmental educator Mary Holland shares fascinating animal eyes with readers of all ages.

Animal Helpers: Raptor Centers by Keats Curtis Even powerful birds of prey can get sick or hurt. When that happens, animal helpers at raptor centers come to the rescue! Dedicated staff treats injured, sick, and orphaned animals. They return the birds to their native environment or find forever homes at education and raptor centers for those that can’t survive in the wild. Follow along in this photographic journal as staff and volunteers come together to care for these remarkable birds.

Animal Partners by Scotti Cohn From the “crocodile’s dentist,” to the “mongoose spa,” Animal Partners takes a whimsical look at symbiotic relationships of animals large and small. Although many animals live in groups of the same kind, here you will learn how some animals form unique partnerships with different species. After all, don’t we all need a little help from our friends?

Clouds: A Compare and Contrast Book by Katharine Hall There are many different kinds of clouds all around us. Clouds come in diverse shapes and colors. Some clouds are fluffy and others are wispy. Some clouds float high in the sky and others sit low on the ground. Some clouds warn of storms and other clouds tell of fair weather. Compare and contrast the characteristics of different types of clouds through vibrant photographs.

Dino Treasures by Rhonda Lucas Donald Just as some people dig and look for pirate treasure, some scientists dig and look for treasures, too. These treasures may not be gold or jewels but fossils. Following in the footsteps of Dino Tracks, this sequel takes young readers into the field with paleontologists as they uncover treasured clues left by dinosaurs. Readers will follow what and how scientists have learned about dinosaurs: what they ate; how they raised their young; how they slept, fought, or even if they ever got sick. True to fashion, the tale is told through a rhythmic, fun read-aloud that can even be sung to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Salamander Season by Jennifer Keats Curtis

Trees: A Compare and Contrast Book by Katharine Hall Trees grow in many habitats, all around the world. Some trees are short and some are tall. Some grow in hot deserts and others grow on cold mountains. Some have leaves that are broad and wide and others are short and narrow. Some trees stay green all year round while others have leaves that change color. Compare and contrast the different characteristics of trees through vibrant photographs.

Book Review - Things Half in Shadow

Things Half In Shadow

By: Alan Finn
Publisher: Gallery Books, A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Publication Date: December 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4767-6172-5
Reviewed by: Charline Ratcliff
Date: December 31, 2014

I was uncertain what to expect when I agreed to read Things Half In Shadow by Alan Finn. Yes, of course I'd read the book’s Amazon ‘about’ blurb, but that only seemed to make the book a bit more ‘mysterious’ and thereby more challenging to categorize into one specific genre. Having also noticed that Things Half In Shadow was 400 plus pages long, I certainly hoped that it would at least be an interesting read – and thankfully, it did not disappoint.

From the very first paragraph of the Foreword, I was captivated. Finn has written this tale in the first person (a style that I sincerely enjoy) and I truly loved the manner in which he shared the story – using verbiage and mannerisms that made me feel as if I really was in a previous century. Things Half In Shadow is fiction, yet, as I read, Edward Clark, the book's main character explained (via the Foreword) that this recounting is, in fact, truth. Clark’s granddaughter, Isabel, has a deep-seated interest in the macabre (and other-worldly), so when she learned that her grandfather had personal experience with a ghostly murder she requested that he write his account down for posterity’s sake.
Once readers finish the Foreword, they will turn the page and meet a much younger Edward Clark from 1869. At this stage of Clark’s life, he’s a respected crime reporter for the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin – and on this particular April morning, Clark was unceremoniously roused from his slumber at five o’clock and escorted by a policeman to the city’s waterfront. The body of a young woman had just been pulled out of the Delaware River and the police need the Evening Bulletin readers’ help to identify her.

William Barclay (a Police Investigator, but also Clark's friend), is labeling this death as an accidental drowning. However, Clark (having seen his fair share of drowning victims) feels that this woman does not visually show any of the signs needed to warrant a death by drowning conclusion. No purpling skin due to lack of oxygen, no bloating of the body – in fact, the woman’s expression is so peaceful that she looks as though she could have passed in her sleep.

This debate between Clark and Barclay is interrupted though when an older woman and her younger daughter push their way past the police barrier. Sadly, they are able to identify the deceased woman as their missing sister/daughter. And with that revelation, this case is closed so to speak and Clark trudges off to the paper.

Once there, his editor corners him with a very unfavorable-to-Clark assignment – visit the homes of local mediums; participate in their séances and then write a weekly article debunking the myth and proving that each medium he visits is a fraud. This is certainly not Clark's cup of tea – he is after all a well-known and respected crime writer, but his editor will not let him off the hook so easily. Clark must at least give the proposed assignment some sincere thought first.

At this point I’ll stop with the book's summation as I really don't want to ruin the reader's journey of discovery. I’ll just state that Things Half In Shadow was a grippingly-good read. Finn has a wonderful writing style and he certainly managed to portray the feel of 1869 accurately. The plot, scenes and characters were exceptionally believable and at times I almost felt as though I was reading one of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories.

Quill says: Things Half In Shadow has it all: murder, mystery and intrigue – with a smattering of some ghostly other-world thrown in for good measure! A fantastic tale and an author we’re looking forward to reading more from in the future. Five stars, and certainly deserving of each one.

Book Review - We Are Not Good People: Ustari Cycle series

We Are Not Good People: Ustari Cycle series

By: Jeff Somers
Illustrated By: Allen Dingman
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: October 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4516-9679-0
Reviewed By: Kristi Benedict
Review Date: January 1, 2015

Lem Vonnegan was not a master of magic, he was a trickster by choice just barely getting by on the spells he could cast using his own blood, for he refused to bleed anyone else to fuel his own magic. Blood was the key to all magical spells and the more blood that was available the more powerful a spell could be cast. Then the next step was to learn the correct words to be said in order to get what you want from a spell. Thankfully Lem was good with the words and knew how to manipulate them into getting exactly what he wanted. However, it was the choice not to bleed anyone else that unfortunately kept Lem and his humble sidekick Mags in a life of poverty for years with no real way to get out of it. The main difference between a trickster and a powerful mage was that mages were willing to bleed as many people as it took to cast their spells without a second thought while tricksters preferred to stick to small insignificant spells that could be cast with the blood they had within themselves.

In an instant both Lem and Mags' lives are completely turned upside down as they come across a girl named Claire Mannice who for some reason is covered in ancient runes that can only be seen by people who practice magic. The only reason these runes would be put on a person like this is because she is very important in something extremely powerful. The pair of friends comes across Claire at a hotel where it appears she is being kidnapped and without much thought as to why they are doing it, Lem and Mags rescue her. It does not take long for Lem to find out exactly why this certain girl is so important, for she is wanted by the most powerful mage in the world, Mika Rena, who has destructive plans that Claire is the key to. Quickly thrown into a battle for the Earth that no one saw coming, Lem finds himself trying desperately to protect both Claire and Mags from whatever devastating plan Mika Renar has in mind.

Through the years I have read countless novels about magic but this story showed magic in quite a unique way that I had not seen before. It was interesting as the story developed to see how each of the characters viewed the different methods of fueling their spells and why they made the decisions they did. It was also intriguing to think about the possibility that these powerful mages could have been behind some of the biggest disasters in this world that have changed the face of history. That is what I love about writing - that you can bring to life so many new possibilities and create whole new worlds that can give an entirely new perspective. Jeff Somers does that in this novel.

Quill says: This is an intense and intriguing novel that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Interview with Author Sally Smith O'Rourke

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Amy Lignor is talking with Sally Smith O'Rourke, author of Days of Future Past

FQ: You have proven many times over that you have that historical romantic vein running in your blood, with the intriguing ‘Jane Austen’ bent of some of your novels. Is history something you love to explore? Are you a research demon when it comes to past centuries?

O’ROURKE: Indeed, I love history. I believe the old adage that you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been. Many ideas come from research I do for enjoyment, so I guess you’re right, I am a research demon or junkie, depending on how you look at it.

FQ: There are many authors who say they must ‘write from something they know,’ whereas others say their ideas come from the imagination. In your case, because all of the emotions are so deep in your tales, how exactly do your ideas come to you?

O’ROURKE: I guess I’m a combination of the two. The base storyline is generally from my imagination, but everything around it, details, relationships, and events are often based on my own experiences or those of people I know. Some does come from intense research. (An aside, the house manager of the Jane Austen House Museum told me that my depiction of Chawton made her feel as though she was walking down the road there – I’ve never been to Chawton)

FQ: If you could go into a book, any book, which would it be? And which character would you wish to be, and why?

O’ROURKE: You don’t stipulate fiction or non-fiction (although I suspect you meant fiction) and my choice is a bit of both. As a young teen-ager I picked up a copy of Anna and the King of Siam at a garage sale. After telling my mother how much I enjoyed it, she gave me a copy of The English Governess at the Siamese Court so that I would know the real story and not just the fictionalized one. There are those who believe that Anna Leonowens’ memoir was fictionalized. We will never know for sure, the world has taken Margaret Landon’s novel as the ‘real’ story. The bottom line, though is that in the mid-nineteenth century, in the heart of the Victorian era, Anna Leonowens was a fiercely independent woman who traveled the world and wrote about her experiences. Her bravery in a time when women were expected to marry well, have children and follow the proprieties of a repressive society, is extraordinary.

FQ: The vistas written are stunning; whether it be a bungalow in California or a Scottish 1800’s world. Is there a trick, I wonder, when it comes to writing such descriptive and detailed locations, to somehow not lose the characters or the core of the story? Much like Austen, your writing has that small ‘core’ of people, yet the world around them is so lofty.

O’ROURKE: I thank you for the compliment. I don’t think there’s a trick, although I don’t really know how I do it. Based on research and experience I visualize a scene or sequence and write it exactly as I see it in my mind. Perhaps that is why my writing has been called cinematic.

FQ: Time movement, history, past lives; are these subjects you are most interested in when it comes to writing a novel?

O’ROURKE: I’m sure my love of history is, at least, partially responsible when it comes to using time as a vehicle. However, not all are time related, The Maidenstone Lighthouse is a ghost story (of course, the ghost is from the past) and Christmas at Sea Pines Cottage is strictly contemporary (although is narrated by the family’s pet Golden Retriever, Meteor). But I must confess a desire to venture into the past.

FQ: Along those same lines, are there other genres you wish to explore with your writing?

O’ROURKE: I don’t really write in any particular genre, although they all include a love story, they are not considered romance. My books are listed as general fiction, and frankly because they don’t have a genre are often hard to market. My publisher put a ‘romance’ type cover on The Man Who Loved Jane Austen for the mass market edition, and we got several letters complaining that it wasn’t a romance novel. That said, I won’t be doing mystery or crime drama or anything like that, perhaps I will eventually write an actual historical novel, only time will tell.

FQ: Can you tell our readers what may be coming up next?

O’ROURKE: I am currently working on a ghost story that takes place in San Francisco, working title: The Bridge. I plan to do the third and final Jane Austen book, Farewell, Sweet Jane and on the back burner is a story that takes place on the Monterey peninsula of California and is peopled by fairies. I’ve been considering a novel set during the Civil War which may become my historical novel. So many stories, so little time.

FQ: I always end my interviews with a question that readers love to know the answer to: If you could have lunch with any author, alive or dead, who would it be, and why?

O’ROURKE: I would love to sit by a fire and have tea with Jane Austen. I find her mind, wit and talent amazing and fascinating. Comparing my writing to hers is the ultimate compliment. Thank you.

To learn more about Days of Future Past please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.

Interview with Author Fat Hendrick

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Amy Lignor is talking with Fat Hendrick, author of Buttermilk

FQ: The biggest question: Where did this particular idea come from? Readers will definitely want to know.

HENDRICK: One day, when my twins were little, I saw a stuffed cow they left out on the floor. In an act of spontaneity, I decided, "I'm going to write a story about a cow," but I wanted something unique, something crazy, almost implausible. I began to think...what if this cow didn't give milk; what if it gave something different? What might a cow produce that you might hear as a rumor and think, "Could that be real?"

It struck me that when milk is churned enough, it becomes butter. Now I needed to figure out how and what might cause this phenomenon. Well...if the cow were moving around enough, and churning the milk inside of her, that might do it, but she would have to be moving an awful lot...what would cause a cow to bounce up and down and rock and roll back and forth enough to produce butter...what if the cow were dancing? The Mysterious Man from Tupelo was introduced and the rest, as they say, is "history."

FQ: When it comes to the background of your family, many things are stated. Can you expand on the amazing tale of the Van Wie family? Is it true that this book was written by his great (x10) grandson?

HENDRICK: My family history is true. In 1664, Hendrick Gerritse Van Wie paid eight full beaver pelts and four half pelts to sail from Texel Island in the Netherlands on the ship De'Endracht. He arrived in America right when the British were taking over New Amsterdam (Manhattan). According to the Kingston Papers, Hendrick Gerritse Van Wie was referred to as "Fat Hendrick" of Wildwyck. Fat Hendrick occupied a farm called Domine's Hoeck, which is now known as Van Wie's Point. He built a house in Beverwyck (Albany) and married. On August 11, 1691 Fat Hendrick, under the command of Major Peter Schuyler, was badly wounded during an attack of a large French force on August at Paray in Canada during the French and Indian War. He died soon after, leaving a line of Van Wies that still exist today. The Van Wies have been in every American war since, including the American Revolution. Now 350 years later, and after many, many years of researching my family tree, I am proud to use my Great-Grandfather's (x10) nickname, Fat Hendrick, as my pen name.

Buttermilk wins a blue ribbon! - Image from the book "Buttermilk"

FQ: Was writing always a gift in the family – passed down through the generations? Or is writing a new path?

HENDRICK: When I was a young Boy Scout we went on a "Wilderness Survival Campout." You were allowed to bring a little food, a drop cloth and a sleeping bag. No tents, no matches, no comforts. There were four of us put together and we didn't know each other. We were told where to camp and then left to our own devices. We were very nervous being in the wilderness without any adult supervision and quickly began preparing our drop cloth and sleeping bag around a center location where we hoped to build a fire. We each went out and gathered all the things we needed for the fire...tinder, kindling and some larger logs if we were successful. As the sun began to sink, we gathered around our fire pit to cut off the wind as we each took turns sliding our knife down a magnesium striking stick, hoping for a spark. It wasn't long before all of our training paid off and a small spark started some smoke. We rapidly built the fire up until we could see that it would provide enough heat and light for all of us that night.

When it was completely dark, we were all staring quietly quietly into the fire, letting the heat settle our nerves. None of us was very hungry or had much to say. One of the scouts had a tiny flashlight, a breach in the rules for wilderness survival, and was reading a book. I leaned over, "What are you reading?"
"Where the Red Fern Grows," he replied.
"How far along are you?"
"Just started," he said.
As much as the cracking of the fire helped our nerves, I thought a distraction might be nice... "Would you read it out loud?"

All night we sat up taking turns reading the pages, listening intently to Old Dan and Little Anne's adventures. Our fears, concerns, and worries were gone as we were lifted away into the story, watching those dogs hunt raccoons, grow up together, and finally save their boy master Billy in the end. That night showed me the power of a good book and the impact it can have. I don't remember the location of my campsite, I don't remember the names of the other scouts I was with, but I never forgot how that book helped us all get through that cold night, huddled around our small fire. I knew then, that someday I wanted to write something that people could share as well.

The Author with Author David McCullough (left)

FQ: What made you choose children’s books for the genre to write in? And are there other genres you have, or wish to explore in the future?

HENDRICK: While getting my master's in education, I spent a lot of time with children in the classroom. I remember being fascinated with their responses to quality literature, especially when read by a Master Storyteller. I love seeing the look on a child's face as he is sucked into a great story...when he is locked on every word as it hangs in the air like candy, and the pure silence in the room as students intently listen to a pivotal moment unfolding before them. There is a certain joy in children's books that capture young readers' imaginations, draws them in, and makes them never want to leave...I wanted to be part of that.

I am very excited to begin artwork on another children's book. I'm a bit of an American Revolution history buff so this story is children's historical non-fiction. It tells the story of a ten-year-old boy embarking on a sea adventure with his father to help in the American Revolution. What makes their journey even more dangerous is that his father has been labeled the number one traitor by the British, to be hung the instant he is caught.

FQ: Is Farmer Floyd based on a real person…seeing as that other ‘real’ people make an appearance?

HENDRICK: If you can find that lone dirt road in the middle of farm country lined with a worn, wooden fence and follow it over a small hill, you'll come down into a lush green valley. A fresh sweet smelling breeze will hit you as you make your way past the grain silo and at the base of the valley you'll see Farmer Floyd's blue house, red barn, and a quaint little guesthouse sitting in the middle of fields and fields of corn. As you make your way to the sturdy two story house and night starts to fall, make sure you listen carefully. In the distance, you just might hear some distinct music floating through the cool night air coming from an old phonograph player sitting on a window sill. And, if you're really lucky, you might even find a guest or two sitting on the porch with Farmer Floyd and Mrs. Mavis, playing their musical instruments, singing, dancing, and having a great time. They will surely invite you to join them and enjoy the music while they smile and ponder what strange event might occur in the morning...

FQ: Can you tell readers what’s next for ‘Fat Hendrick: Master Story Teller’?

HENDRICK: Farmer Floyd's Farm has not seen its last adventure. I have just finished the manuscript for the second book. A new visitor rents out the guesthouse and Farmer's Floyd's chickens have never been the same since!

FQ: I always end with a question readers love to know: Is there an author or personality, alive or dead, you wish to have lunch with…and why? (Hmmm…Is this a surprise, or will a young ‘plucker’ be the answer?)

HENDRICK: I think the Mysterious Man from Tupelo would have been an incredible legend to visit, however I was very fortunate to have dinner many years ago with the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning book John Adams (2001), David McCullough. I had helped finance the repair one of the original copies of the Star Spangled Banner and was invited to sit with Mr. McCullough at a dinner after the John Adams Library went on display at the Boston Public Library (I actually held some of the original books that John Adams owned and read). It was one of the true highlights in my life. So, to answer your question, if given a chance to have a lunch or meeting with any author or personality, I would love nothing better than to further discuss the American Revolution with another Master Storyteller, Mr. David McCullough.

To learn more about Buttermilk please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.

Book Review - Buttermilk

Buttermilk

By: Fat Hendrick
Illustrated by: Jamil Adler
Publisher: David Van Wie
Publication Date: August 2014
ISBN: 978-0-615-15505-0
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Date: December 24, 2014

There are children’s books that are all about education; there are children’s books that are pure fun; and then there are children’s books that become a part of the household, where they are read over and over again because they are so funny and so cool and so unique that every child, as well as their parents, have a ball reading them. This is one of those books.

Readers will not know off the bat why Farmer Floyd’s prize cow, Jesse, suddenly seems a bit odd. By odd, I mean that Farmer Floyd is looking very forward to Jesse once again winning the prize at the county fair the very next day for her amazing milk. But in order for Jesse to ‘do her best’ she needs her sleep, yet in Farmer Floyd’s world there is only: “Noise! Noise! Noise!”

You see, a new tenant is on Farmer Floyd’s property right now; and all this tenant wants to do is pluck a guitar. The farmer is not at all happy about this because Jesse can get no rest, which means she may not produce the best milk she can. But the next morning, Jesse doesn’t even bother to give any milk; instead, she makes a wonderful butter that has the entire town going crazy. Everyone for miles around wants this “wonderful, delicious, savory…butter.” In fact, they can’t get it in their hands fast enough. Not only has Jesse produced something far more amazing than her usual awesome milk, but she keeps producing this butter over and over again. But…how exactly is she doing it?

Let us just say that there is something ‘magical’ happening on Farmer Floyd’s property; a type of magic that is wonderful to listen to; a type of magic that will go on for decades to come, turning every frown into a smile. Although parents may know from a shadowed picture what, exactly, is pleasing Jesse so much that she is producing something so wonderful, it will open the door for kids of today to learn all about a ‘presence’ that once made everyone really, really happy.

Listen to the ‘plucking’ of the strings; root for Farmer Floyd to figure it all out; and praise Jesse for all her work, as you fall in love with Buttermilk. The author has reached out to the stars to create this tale, and the illustrator has done a wonderful job showing all human emotions, as well as a very happy cow.

Quill says: A fun fantasy based in reality that you will love to read over and over and over again. Readers will say to the author: “Thank you. Thank you very much.”

For more information on Buttermilk, please visit the author's website at: www.fathendrickstories.com

Book Review - When I Grow Up I Want to Be ... A Veterinarian

When I Grow Up I Want to Be...A Veterinarian: Sofia's Dream Comes True

By: Wigu Publishing 

Publisher: Wigu Publishing
Publication Date: November 2014
ISBN: 978-1-9399-7314-6
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Date: December 23, 2014

It is always a thrill to find the next book in this amazing series in my mailbox. Wigu Publishing has five titles, thus far, in the "When I Grow Up" series with, thankfully, more to come. And each book not only provides a fun story with characters that kids love, but they also give pictures, facts, histories, past events, and facts that are essential to each 'career' that a child wishes to learn about.

In this latest offering, Wigu has picked something extremely close to my own heart. And for many, many readers, this book explores a job that is high up on the 'cool' meter. In this story, Sofia is a young girl who is desperate to take care of all the creatures in the world. Her mind and thoughts are full of information about animals that roam jungles, forests - even the mammals that swim in the ocean. Her room is covered with posters of all kinds of animals and the only thing she wants - more than anything else - is to have a pet all her own. Unfortunately...Mom says 'no' to pets. Not because she doesn't like them, but because she feels Sofia is not yet up for the responsibility of owning a pet. What does that mean? That means Sofia is going to work hard to prove to her mom that she can be the best pet owner out there.

One day, fate comes into play when a cat appears outside her window. The sorry-looking feline was struggling in the cold, hard rain, and Sofia wants to help him out. Sure enough, after some interesting twists, Sofia takes a trip down the responsibility path, using the help and learning the skills of a real veterinarian. She educates herself on all types of things that a person needs in order to be a good animal doctor later in life, and the tale is one of kindness, hard work, and real love.

Yet again, Wigu Publishing has made sure to cover all bases in order to intrigue and delight their readers. The intricate research is offered up in an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand way so that all young people who want to learn about this career focusing on the protection and love of animals will be thrilled.

Quill says: These books definitely spark a child's mind, opening up the imagination and giving kids a chance to take an in-depth look at the amazing careers they could one day have.