Review of Enchanted Everglades

[Brenda Creech]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Enchanted Everglades" by G. A. Kowatch.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Ocean River and Ellen Hansen had been best friends since they were six years old. Now they were twelve. On Ellen's twelfth birthday, her dad got killed in a traffic accident. Ocean accidentally created a disturbance at his funeral that Ellen thought he did on purpose because Ocean was a jokester and loved to make people laugh. Ocean tried to apologize, but Ellen told him to stay away from her. Two months after Ellen's dad died, Ocean's parents decided to give Ellen her birthday present. It was a weekend trip to the Everglades. Ocean and Ellen had not spoken to each other since her dad's funeral. Would this trip mend their friendship?

Ocean's dad had forgotten to book their airboat tour, but they had found someone to give them a private excursion. It was apparent right away that their tour guide did not know how to drive an airboat. When the guide lost control of the airboat, Ellen, Ocean, and Nano (Ellen's little dog) got thrown out of the boat. There was a loud crash soon after, and Ocean and Ellen were alone in the swamps of the Everglades. They needed to find their parents. However, the swamp areas around them were dark and full of deadly animals. The three had no weapons and very little food and water. They set off through the dark swamp area, hoping they were going the right way. What dangers would Ocean and Ellen encounter in the swamp? Would they find their parents? What if they were hurt, or worse?

The book Enchanted Everglades: Friend For Life by G. A. Kowatch is a children's fantasy adventure book with talking animals such as alligators, a stork, a turtle, a pelican, a python over sixteen feet long, and more. To Ocean's and Ellen's amazement, they can understand the animals, and the animals can understand them, and suddenly Ocean and Ellen have superpowers. How can that be possible? Some animals are friendly and want to help Ocean and Ellen find their parents, while others are more interested in having them as dinner. The story goes back and forth from Ocean to Gumbo, the alligator Ocean and Ellen befriended. Each chapter rotates between the two characters narrating their version of what is happening in the story.

What I liked most about this book were the black and white hand-drawn illustrations. They are stunning to look at, and they add so much to the story. Another favorite aspect of the book for me is the character of Gumbo. Gumbo is the son of the King of the Everglades and next in line to the throne. The problem is, Gumbo is not a hunter like his father and brothers; he helps others instead of hurting them. Gumbo does mindfulness meditation and yoga to calm himself down when he is frightened. He wants to make his father proud, but he can't be a killer like his brothers. The reader can learn many life lessons through Gumbo's example. The book teaches values, friendship, and loss, sometimes poignantly and sometimes hilariously.

This beautifully written book will become a favorite among children, parents, and teachers. There were only a couple of errors within the 276 pages. There isn't anything I disliked about this book, and I got caught up in the adventure myself. This book deserves a 4 out of 4 stars rating.

I recommend it to those nine years of age and older because it would be too difficult for a younger child to read. I encourage teachers and parents to have it in their library to read to younger kids. As an adult reader, I enjoyed the book.

******
Enchanted Everglades
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Oche_1990]

I feel so sorry for this very story but this is an enlightenment for the younger generation

[Ugonna Nworka]

Insight full story. Even as an adult I feel like joining ocean and Ellen on this adventure.

[Angel_gaze]

This sounds like a fabulous adventure. I am tempted to read it myself so that I can enjoy the illustrations and meet the talking python. Thanks for an engaging review

[Ekezie1998]

Quite an intriguing plot we have here. Would definitely love to have this book on my shelf. Great review.

[Brenda Creech]

I feel so sorry for this very story but this is an enlightenment for the younger generation

Yes, it is a great children's book! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

Insight full story. Even as an adult I feel like joining ocean and Ellen on this adventure.

I know what you mean! I enjoyed reading this one! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

This sounds like a fabulous adventure. I am tempted to read it myself so that I can enjoy the illustrations and meet the talking python. Thanks for an engaging review

The illustrations are excellent and really add to the story. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

Quite an intriguing plot we have here. Would definitely love to have this book on my shelf. Great review.

Thank you so much, and thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[kirthana_shivakumar]

This looks very interesting. It's also one of my favourite genres so I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks for the review!

[Brenda Creech]

This looks very interesting. It's also one of my favourite genres so I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks for the review!

It is a great children's book! However, I got pretty involved in it myself! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Adelle v]

I just love the cover of this book. Gumbo sounds like a real sweetheart and I would read this book just to get to know him better. Thanks for a great review.