Title: Children’s Stories
Author: Horacio A. Hernandez
Publisher: Aspire Publishing Hub, LLC.
ISBN: 979-8896830672
Pages: 104
Genre: Children’s Books
Reviewer: Jennifer Bailey
Pacific Book Review
Children’s Stories is an anthology of children’s stories that range in genre and themes. While many of these stories are based on traditional folklore and myths, there are also others that showcase religious beliefs, and display emotions the author (and reader) has experienced throughout life. There are stories based on animals such as “The Centaurs” or “Why Ants Like Honey So Much.” Other tales are based on mysterious objects and places such as the fascinating tale of “The museum of the mysterious doll”, which can give the reader a creeper, crawly feeling, and a few stories about people: “The Boy Who Became An Angel.” Readers will quickly come to find a story they feel connected to, one that resonates within them. Personally, that story “Lucia’s Vision of Glory” was a reminder of something grander than myself and to not take the grandeur of the world around me for granted.
Children’s Stories contains some strong yet important and deep topics discussed such as poverty, intense emotions, life fear, love and envy, some stories focus on death and/or life after death. Horacio A. Hernandez presents it in a way that makes it easy for that audience to understand. Even if the reader does not realize that is what the story may be about the seed for understanding and compassion is planted. I still remember reading many of the fables like “The Shoemaker” (which is represented in this collection with “The Elves”) with my mom many years later into adulthood and can see many of these stories remaining with young readers for years to come.
Something this reader enjoyed was that some of the stories are retellings of fairy tales many people already have heard such as Snow White. This retelling gives a different insight to the classic story; some elements of this story are like others such as “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” i.e. “Someone has sat in my chair”, “Someone has eaten from my bowl,” “Someone has tried my bed!” etc. The story of “Herman and Graciela” is reminiscent of Hansel and Gretel, a classic story of bravery in the face of adversity. Reading familiar stories in a different voice gives a new appreciation of classic fables and shows how connected the world truly is.
This may be a book of children’s stories, but there is a certain age range that would be more suited for this book, and personally I would wait until my children were about 8 or 9 years old before reading this to them. There are some things in these stories that may not be suitable for a younger reader (i.e. “Herman and Graciela,” the witch woman trying to eat the children.) Children’s Stories is an anthology that young audiences will be eager to read, and adult readers will find enthralling and want to continue returning too. With each story being its own unique anecdote, it is easy to read one or two at bedtime and be able to set it aside and return to it again later. With its engaging stories, meaningful themes, this book is sure to delight young readers while imparting valuable life lessons.
