Title: Flora Fleece
Author: Bryan Anthony
Publisher: Urlink Print & Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1684866656
Pages: 124
Genre: Children’s Books
Reviewed by: Christina Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
There are those who find comfort and joy in the safety of home and the familiarity which comes with it. The knowledge that comes with knowing what each and every day will bring, and never questioning their surroundings, all play a vital role in a person’s decision to embrace the life they’ve always known. Yet there are those who yearn for more in their life. To embrace the unknown, and to seek out new experiences comes naturally to those who seek to leave the warm embrace of home in an effort to find their own place in the world.
In author Bryan Anthony’s Flora Fleece, that is the exact sentiment behind the author’s children’s novel. The book focuses on a young ewe who faces hardship and struggle upon the moment of her early birth. Born differently and with a natural curiosity which flies in the face of her flock’s daily life, the young ewe soon meets a wild stag who helps her to find a way of escaping the confinement of her home and seeking out a better life out in the great unknown.
The author did a wonderful job of immediately capturing the tone and atmosphere of the narrative. Utilizing Flora’s journey from the moment of her birth, showcasing her uniqueness and curiosity about the world beyond their pasture. The parallels the author makes between Flora and her flock’s behavior with the larger world around us and the struggle to encourage young people to question things and be themselves in a world which craves uniformity far too often was greatly felt in the author’s work.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy children’s storytelling, especially those which feature illustrations and deal with themes of individuality and childhood. The world-building and brilliant use of herd mentality within the confines of a children’s story was a breathtaking example of the author’s ability to mirror real life in the bounds of this fictional tale. The way each character feels fully realized and developed within such a short span of pages, and the emotional and physical journey the protagonist goes on will be a constant source of inspiration to young readers as they develop the skills to take in the author’s message in kind. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your very own copy of this masterful children’s story today.