SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL“The world's largest reviewer of book, multimedia, and technology for children and teens” |
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| These ten sweetly innocent tales of young Tegwen of Wales are delightful to the ear, thanks to the charming Welsh accent of the author, Rainer Morgan. She narrates her memoirs in a manner reminiscent of Dylan Thomas’s beloved autobiographical classic, A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Morgan employs an ingenious introductory device with each story, which starts with the phrase: “Tegwen Thomas lived in a country called Wales, which is a good place to live, especially if you like….” What follows is a word that sets the stage for the story, be it singing, playing, climbing mountains, jumping into puddles, eating Welsh cakes, daffodils, and more. The tales refer to the author’s everyday adventures circa the 1950s and evoke Welsh culture, customs, and history. Some gentle life lessons ensue in the stories, and Morgan has mastered the authentic voice of a young child. “Film Star,” the best story, chronicles Teggy’s great solo singing triumph amid the daffodils and leeks worn by her friends and relations on March 1, the holiday of Welsh patron saint St. David. Unfamiliar words such as wellies and sixpence are explained in a lilting Welsh brogue. Interludes of traditional Welsh tunes played simply on a keyboard by the author separate the stories and are listed in the liner notes. Young children will enjoy these stories again and again, and the introductory phrase is a great pattern for teachers to use. |
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-Lonna Pierce, MacArthur Elementary School, Binghamton, NY |