Captain Cardinal and the Frenzied Five

by Nancy M. Femenella, Lesley-Anne Dale (Illustrator)

Overview

This book is about the apparent chance encounter between five energetic children and one of God's beautiful creatures, a brilliant red Cardinal. This interaction reveals a deeper, more important truth - the spiritual wisdom of sharing and giving to others. The story tells us that God calls upon those who are blessed with abundance to share those gifts with those who are without.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781973617907
Publisher:	WestBow Press
Publication date:	04/23/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	28
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Captain Cardinal and the Frenzied Five is Nancys second book, and she has plans for more to come. Nancy is blessed with a loving family and encouraging friends. The author states that without God in her life and her loving husband, her books would not have been possible. Nancy and her husband are avid sailors; their lives are enriched daily by God and His inspiring creationthis earth. Prayerfully, this book will be enjoyed by children and inspire children near and far to give to those less fortunate than themselves. God, our Creator, instills in us His intent to do the work of His handsgiving to others who do not have.

Editorial Reviews

2018-08-06

In this children's picture book, children feed a hungry red cardinal.

Last summer, while visiting New York City, five siblings—Ella, Luke, John, JP, and Christoph—went to a park and, noticing a brilliant red cardinal, fed him some of their fruit and nuts. The friendly bird wore a captain's hat, so the kids dubbed him Captain Cardinal, or CC for short. Now it's winter, and finding food short, CC leaves the city and searches for his friends over many days. Finally, he discovers five children playing outside in the snow. Recognizing their friend, the children rush inside in a frenzy: "We have to feed him!" Their mother agrees, and while gathering nuts, seeds, and fruit, reminds the children, "We are God's hand on this earth to feed the hungry, not just the birds." After the children fill the bird feeder, CC (and other animals) eats his fill, and all are happy. Femenella (The Rock: Foundation of All Life, 2016) links her story explicitly to biblical commands about helping the needy, although all can relate to the pleasures of giving. She conveys the children's excitement well and—in a beautiful line—the bird's gratitude: "CC looked at the children with thanksgiving in his eyes." Dale's illustrations are a real plus, lively and bright. The unexplained captain's hat strikes an odd note; additionally, because cardinals flock together in winter, especially when food is scarce, CC's solitary behavior is strange.

The joy of generosity comes across despite a few puzzlements.

Kirkus Reviews