True beauty

Reviewed by Ryhanna Salie

Would you like to listen to a toy telling a story? The Diaries of Robin's Toys: Gavin the Gorilla and Snuffles by Ken and Angie Lake is about a toy gorilla's adventures in a Safari park. Robin buys the toy gorilla Gavin from a car boot sale along with a toy dog called Snuffles. His grandfather casts a spell on the toy gorilla which makes him talk.

Gavin relates an interesting story about his life in a Safari park where his scary appearance drove away other animals. Even though he looks scary on the outside, he is a kind gorilla who wants to be a vet and treat animals in need. Unfortunately, he is unable to achieve his dream and is forced to leave the Safari park.

The gorilla stumbles upon a circus and gets an exciting job as a performer. Gavin has many adventures after he leaves the Safari park. Along the way, his kindness extends to humans where he rescues a family that was in a car crash. However, the sad part of Gavin's story is that he was not accepted by the other animals in the Safari park, and also by the family he rescued because of his scary appearance. Snuffles the toy dog understands who he is and they become good friends.

The story teaches a lesson that sometimes appearances can be deceiving. Snuffles had the ability to see beyond Gavin's scary appearance, and saw the gorilla's true beauty.

Dear Junior readers,

The Junior Observer launches 'Junior Readers’ Club' to which we invite all you Junior Readers to join up! The Junior Readers’ Club will hold activities and competitions to encourage you to read and read and read more, for fun and to learn. Do join in!

One activity will be to introduce books for you to read. We will introduce a book from Vijitha Yapa Bookshop and tell you about it in our 'Book Review'. You are also invited to write in and tell us about a book you have read and liked. Write up to 150 words and email your entries to [email protected] or post them to Lake House, 35, D.R. Wijewardane Mawatha, Colombo 10.

NOTE: Vijitha Yapa Bookshop will give away prizes for a write-up on a book available in their bookshops. The best book review will receive a book as first prize, and the second will be a gift voucher from Vijitha Yapa Bookshop. Contact the Junior Observer on 2429239 or 2429234 to collect your gifts.

The Return of Sherlock Holmes

My favourite book is the The Return of Sherlock Holmes. The author of this book is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who was a doctor by profession. His first story about Holmes was A Study in Scarlet which appeared in a magazine in 1887. This story is based on the detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson who helps him with his cases. Sherlock Holmes was very famous as the best detective in England. This book contains several interesting stories such as “The Norwood Builder”, “Golden Pince-Nez” and “Six Napoleons” which give immense delight to the reader. I liked the chapter “Golden Pince-Nez” which tells us about a case in which one Mr. Smith who worked as a secretary under a Russian Professor Coram was killed by the professor's wife. These characters are portrayed in such a manner that a feeling of pity and sorrow is conceived in our mind towards them.

Charith Edirisinghe,

Grade 7, Vidura College, Colombo.

Roald Dahl's Matilda

There are many books that I have read. One author whom I like is Roald Dahl. He is renowned as the world's best storyteller. He was born on 13th September, 1916. This special day is still remembered as a tribute to Roald Dahl. One of my favourite books is Matilda. It is about a little girl who is very clever. But Matilda is mislead because of her bad parents. Matilda's school teacher Miss Honey helps her although the Headmistress Miss Trunchbull is wicked. Matilda wants to teach these mad elders a lesson. This amazing story brings wonder and enthusiasm to the reader.

Lihini Wijesekara,

Grade 7, Lyceum International School, Wattala.