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NightRainbow
Posted June 24, 2009
Rajah, the black lab, loves his yard-that is until he visits his special tree one day and a blue ball hits him with a pinecone! Trying to overcome his fear, Rajah sets out to find the blue ball, with the help of the other animals that live near him. What he finds will both surprise and delight children of all ages.
I knew this book was special when I first held it in my hands. The cover speaks for reader's to pick it up. Dr. Moseta Penick Phillips obviously knows her dogs, as I had no doubt Rajah was thinking exactly what she wrote.
Mosetta Penick Phillips has created a book that will be enjoyed by children of all ages, as well of those with a bit of childhood still in their hearts. Unlike many children's authors, she does not write "down" but even the earliest of readers will be able to read her tale.
Children still too young to read will also be delighted with this story. Rather than illustrations, this book has wonderful photographs of Rajah and his friends gracing the pages!
Rajah and the Big Blue Ball is sure to be the favorite in every child's library-and one that will be passed down for generations to come!
Children will find Rajah and the Big Blue Ball by Mosetta Penick Phillips-Cermak a delightful book that will quickly take its place among their all-time favorites. Through the excellent photographs, young readers will identify with the animals and fish, enjoying their individual looks that match their personalities.
Rajah, the main character, is a big black dog who lives in a 16-room house with Mommy Maia and three cats. Outside the house is small pond, circled by 16 trees. Living in the pond are Mr. and Mrs. Fish with their 14 children.
It is obvious that Rajah is a blessed dog, especially happy with his surroundings and the knowledge that Mommy Maia loves him. Three times a day he goes into the yard where he runs, plays, sniffs, and always visits one of his very favorite trees. It is a tree that smells like Christmas and stays green all the time. But one day everything changes when a blue ball knocks a pinecone on Rajah's head. The ball then disappears, leaving Rajah puzzled; however, he convinces himself that it was probably a one-time accident. But, when it happens again the next time he goes outside, Rajah runs to the house and scratches at the glass patio door, whimpering for Mommy Maia to hurry up and let him back in. She senses something is wrong, lovingly questions him, and calls him a brave dog.
Readers recognize that Rajah is no longer the joyful dog that he had been before the blue ball attacked him. But what could have changed this?
Just like we humans often do, Rajah decides to seek the advice of a friend, who consults with another friend about the problem. In doing this, the word "magic" comes up, but he doesn't even know what it means-something he will learn later on. Desperate for answers, Rajah decides to go to the pond and see if the fish could help him. After all, the pond was close to the tree that smelled like Christmas, so maybe the fishes had seen something.
Rajah recalls how Mommy Maia had said that he was brave, so he decides to prove that this is indeed true. He dares to go outside again and runs non-stop to the pond where he questions the fishes. Bravely, he approaches the pond and gets some advice from Mrs. Fish. But did this advice solve the problem? Did the blue ball in the sky deliberately try to hurt him?
Besides being entertaining, this book teaches children many things such as not being afraid to seek advice from others and facing puzzling situations bravely but with caution. It also teaches them that talking to those causing problems can often bring about a positive resolution.
Rajah and the Big Blue Ball is well-written and designed by an author whose background as a counselor and teacher comes through in the storyline that children will find mesmerizing. I consider it a "must-read" and I give it my highest recommendation.
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