WATCHING WATERBIRDS - KATE HUMBLE & MARTIN McGILL

 

WATCHING WATERBIRDS - KATE HUMBLE & MARTIN McGILL

This WWT publication was one of the choices to select from as a free book when signing up for annual membership that is paid by direct debit. I was interested in learning more about wetland birdlife, so chose it from among the options.

Along with color photos and text, you will find a map showing where and when various waterbirds are likely to be seen in the UK. The wingspan is also shown, as is the scientific name of each of the various birds.

So that readers can actively participate in bird watching, a score and chart are provided in order to keep track of the birds that you yourself spot. The text covers the basics of identification with added information. There are also tips and a quiz at intervals throughout the book.

RUNNING WILD - MICHAEL MORPURGO

RUNNING WILD - MICHAEL MORPURGO

 

Another loan from the Liz library. This book creates a story from a selection of various factual separate events that are combined into a tale most suited to the young, but also enjoyable to older readers.

Various themes play a role throughout the book, the most prominent being the mother figure/substitute, but also human and animal spirituality, attitude, and sensitivity, as well as civilised and natural knowledge, death, and even elephant farts!

While younger readers can enjoy an adventure tale while their minds are opened to an overseas animal experience and world topics, older readers can investigate the themes, ponder the reality beyond the fiction, and enjoy a relaxing tale.

WARHORSE - MICHAEL MORPURGO

WARHORSE - MICHAEL MORPURGO

Another loan from the Liz library! And another horse biography, written predominantly from the horses point of view. I initially noted a main character happened to be a bellringer, somewhat partial to the tenor - which reminds me on my youth when I rang church bells and used to enjoy ringing the tenors, myself.

The story details a Lassie-style separation of horse from master, then the adventures and misfortunes that befall the horse, before a reuniting, leading to a heart-grasping end.

Older readers may note the passage where the two sides show white flags and meet in the midst of the battle to rescue the wandering lost horse - and how this shows the way war encourages mindless men to fight and kill one another because their governments brainwashed them into the 'necessity' of doing so, but how they only want to go home and live happy lives, themselves - how everyday people are peace-seeking, but governments cause trouble and demand support - and how friend and foe may both have a kind heart when it comes to animals.

BLACK BEAUTY - ANNA SEWELL

BLACK BEAUTY - ANNA SEWELL

One of a trio of books my friend Liz loaned me to read after she read it with her grandkids. This book was written some time ago, preceding other horse-narratives/autobiographies. The story is now a classic known worldwide.

I have formerly watched the movie, but that was a long time ago and I had not recalled the story beyond the basics. I have also ridden in the past, but knew barely anything about horses at the time. Once again, I enjoyed looking at life from an animals' point of view - while wondering how realistic the author is being, how animals 'actually' think or sense in comparison to what an author estimates, etc. (Are they being as accurate as I am when it comes to pigeons?)

BOY OVERBOARD - MORRIS GLEITZMAN

BOY OVERBOARD - MORRIS GLEITZMAN

One of a trio of books my friend Liz loaned me to read after she read it with her grandkids. The story is taken through the eyes of a brother and sister of Afghanistan - children coming from a different lifestyle to that those of us living in the Western World currently have.

The kids are obsessed with football, and later on with living in Australia and the story tells the tale of how their dreams progress and develop when the family attempts to relocate overseas due to enforced government dictations that make it unsafe for them to continue to live where they were. On their ventures they connect with a boy and an older girl whom they become close to when temporarily separated from their parents.

It is interesting to see how these kids treasure a toy football as much as the ancestral candlestick. For adults and older youth readers, the attitude of the Australian government can be compared in relation to the Afghanistan government - and thence into our own 'leaders'.

THE GOAT WHO SAILED THE WORLD - JACKIE FRENCH

 

THE GOAT WHO SAILED THE WORLD - JACKIE FRENCH

One of a trio of books my friend Liz loaned me to read after she read it with her grandkids. Having spent 22 years living in Australia, I am well acquainted with the history pertaining to Captain Cook and Joseph Banks - and have in fact visited Botany Bay in real life, due to formerly living quite close to the region. The book details the fictional but possible storyline as seen from that of a ship-goat and young boy who grew into his chosen life of a sailor.

Although directed primarily at young readers, there was one word I had to look up. I found it interesting to observe the story from the goat's point of view - as I myself have written from pigeons' points of view in the past.

JAMGON MIPAM, HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS - Douglas S Duckworth

JAMGON MIPAM, HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS - Douglas S Duckworth

RATING: C+

It has taken me over a year to read this book. Partially due to the fact I have not had much reading time, being too active or too sleepy. Also partly due to practicing rather than studying Buddhism.

Whilst I did find some of the teachings interesting, and some practice-supportive quotes, the majority of the book was background rather than text/quotes, so a little dull for me.