Title: What The Wind Blew In
Author & Illustrator: Marilyn B. Wassmann
Publisher: Writers Branding
ISBN: 978-1-953048-08-0
Pages: 42
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book / Poetry
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
If you are to only buy one children’s book to read to your youngsters at bedtime, What The Wind Blew In by Marilyn B. Wassmann would be the very book I’d suggest; it has everything! A showpiece of creative talent, the author wordsmiths with a beat and rhyme which never feels forced, and flows like the gentle breeze of the wind which is as soft and warm as the title implies. The illustrations are extremely original, offering an abundance of detail for a youngster’s eye to absorb while listening to the poetic verses comprising the storyline. The content of each of the 6 “short stories” are brought to readers in fanciful and imaginative personification of animals, plants, birds, even a butterfly, to the forefront of character development ideally paired with the artwork. Altogether, this book is a masterpiece, showcasing the many aspects of Marilyn B. Wassmann’s wide spectrum of talents.
The stories include topics such as a forest with a character of a mushroom and a dragonfly; a birdhouse where the mother had to teach her babies to fly; a cat who saves a house from a fire; one titled “Why Cry Butterfly?” showing an empathic child watching the insect, thinking the insect is very sad; a toy animal doll named Flub-a-Dube; and finally, a mouse wanting cheese but needing to avoid a cat. Each story would be the equivalent to an entire children’s book in this genre, therefore making What The Wind Blew In virtually a collection of a half-dozen individual books – all within one publication.
As children grow and begin to read on their own, the galley text being bouncy in its beat and clever with its rhyme, will teach the new readers many sophisticated techniques of writing and advance their vocabulary. The maternal nurturing tone of the author is prevalent in each of the stories, creating a safe and imaginative environment for all readers to delve into the various themes. The humor interlaces each story, keeping interest piqued by all readers.
A wonderful gift to any family with young children, What The Wind Blew In will educate and entertain all lucky enough to page this cornucopia of creativity. The combination of the various themes of each chapter, the fun rhyming, and the exquisite illustrations makes this a must-have children’s book and a best-of-class work of art. Enjoy!
