
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. |