Title: A Yard Full of Wonder
Author: Jean McCarthy
Illustrator: Genesis Ray Petobello
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-9845-2627-4
Pages: 28
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Reviewed by: Lori Sharapov
Pacific Book Review
With the lulling warmth of maternal nurturing, author Jean McCarthy tells the story of a little girl enjoying A Yard Full of Wonder in her book appropriately titled. Not only is the story told in her kind written voice, but the animal characters also have the loving behavior while demonstrating the parental care for their offspring.
Beginning with two rabbits being born by Mama Rabbit in the weeds and found by the little girl’s brother Michael, after one runs off the other cute little bunny is enjoyed by the children. In the backyard are also some very interesting birds; a Cardinal, a Blue Jay and a family of Red Robins. The father Robin is busy digging up worms to bring up to the nest for the mommy bird to feed the two little ones. It goes on for day after day, until one day the little birds fly away from the nest – a very exciting moment indeed for the little girl watching from her window. The little girl learned a lesson about life, watching these little robins grow and then get strong enough to fly off on their own; they “Flew the coup” as the expression is quoted. Then there is an encounter with a skunk, but luckily nobody got sprayed. Ending with two love birds on a fountain, the book closes to the end as little toddlers can also close their eyes and drift off into the imaginary backyard where these adorable animals frolic.
The storyline is carefully worded for the younger ages of children’s comprehension. Whether being read this story or reading it for themselves, the galley text is in full capitals making it easy for them to follow along. The artful illustrations by Genesis Ray Petobello add just the right touch for the story to come alive with the images supporting the characters; leaving an imprint which is the goal of this genre of books.
A Yard Full of Wonder is a wonderful gift for a baby shower, or a birthday present to a lower single digit child. The story can be read over and over, and due to its simplicity, it leaves much more to the imagination of the children to make up other details to interleave between the story and illustrations. Jean McCarthy makes it look easy to tell this story while still being memorable to those lucky enough to have A Yard Full of Wonder.
