Review of The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve
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Lene Lena
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- Latest Review: The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve by Lee Cherry
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Review of The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve" by Lee Cherry.]
The “Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve" is a sweet children's book that wonderfully portrays the strength of friendship despite having some differences. Authored by Lee Cherry, this lovely book chronicles the escapades of Grover, a donkey, and Steve, an ostrich, as they become inexplicable friends in the Great Plains. It’s completely clear that a donkey and an ostrich look very different; thus, their friendship is unexpected by the other animals. Therefore, their story highlights aspects of acceptance, loyalty, and seeing beyond superficialities to embrace what they have in common.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of the African savannah, the friendship of Grover and Steve blooms under the Great Canopy Tree. I appreciate how the author portrays these two friends as they harmonize well and play together, despite being of different species. Their friendship is, however, challenged by other animals who cannot understand how two such different creatures can be friends. This social pressure causes both Grover and Steve to confront difficulties due to skepticism and prejudice about their relationship.
One of the things I love about this book is the core message, which is about tolerance and understanding. Cherry is able to convey successfully that friendship is not about physical appearances or species differences. The book teaches children to embrace differences, highlighting the idea that the things that make us different can strengthen our relationships rather than divide us. As Grover's herd shuns him for befriending Steve, readers are subject to the bravery involved in standing up for one's values in the face of adversity.
Also, when their home is threatened by an unknown predator, Grover and Steve must unite together with other animals to defend their home. I like how this climactic moment is a powerful reminder of the importance of cooperation and courage in the time of need.
I commend Buffie Biddle for illustrations, which I find they complement Cherry’s narrative beautifully. The vibrant colors and expressive characters bring the story to life, making it visually stimulating for kids. There is charm on every page as the essence of friendship is captured in beautiful imagery that kids can relate to.
The author did an amazing job by editing the book professionally, as it does not have any grammatical errors. I rate it 5 out of 5 because there was nothing to dislike about it. However, despite having an important message of acceptance, there are aspects that could be improved upon. For instance, more dialogue between characters would enrich the emotional depth and character interaction in the story.
This book will benefit children aged between 5 and 8 years old, and its message can resonate with readers of all ages. Parents who are searching for rich stories to read to their children or teachers who want to start discussions about diversity in schools will highly appreciate this book.
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The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The “Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve" is a sweet children's book that wonderfully portrays the strength of friendship despite having some differences. Authored by Lee Cherry, this lovely book chronicles the escapades of Grover, a donkey, and Steve, an ostrich, as they become inexplicable friends in the Great Plains. It’s completely clear that a donkey and an ostrich look very different; thus, their friendship is unexpected by the other animals. Therefore, their story highlights aspects of acceptance, loyalty, and seeing beyond superficialities to embrace what they have in common.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of the African savannah, the friendship of Grover and Steve blooms under the Great Canopy Tree. I appreciate how the author portrays these two friends as they harmonize well and play together, despite being of different species. Their friendship is, however, challenged by other animals who cannot understand how two such different creatures can be friends. This social pressure causes both Grover and Steve to confront difficulties due to skepticism and prejudice about their relationship.
One of the things I love about this book is the core message, which is about tolerance and understanding. Cherry is able to convey successfully that friendship is not about physical appearances or species differences. The book teaches children to embrace differences, highlighting the idea that the things that make us different can strengthen our relationships rather than divide us. As Grover's herd shuns him for befriending Steve, readers are subject to the bravery involved in standing up for one's values in the face of adversity.
Also, when their home is threatened by an unknown predator, Grover and Steve must unite together with other animals to defend their home. I like how this climactic moment is a powerful reminder of the importance of cooperation and courage in the time of need.
I commend Buffie Biddle for illustrations, which I find they complement Cherry’s narrative beautifully. The vibrant colors and expressive characters bring the story to life, making it visually stimulating for kids. There is charm on every page as the essence of friendship is captured in beautiful imagery that kids can relate to.
The author did an amazing job by editing the book professionally, as it does not have any grammatical errors. I rate it 5 out of 5 because there was nothing to dislike about it. However, despite having an important message of acceptance, there are aspects that could be improved upon. For instance, more dialogue between characters would enrich the emotional depth and character interaction in the story.
This book will benefit children aged between 5 and 8 years old, and its message can resonate with readers of all ages. Parents who are searching for rich stories to read to their children or teachers who want to start discussions about diversity in schools will highly appreciate this book.
******
The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve by Lee Cherry
