This children’s book is a perfect example of a good reason why people need to learn to share the load when putting on a performance. Prudence is so good at everything, that everyone lets her do everything…too bad no one got to see it. One person can’t do it all…even if they are good at everything they try. I think this is a nice story for kids to relate to; about how much better it is to use teamwork than to try to do everything yourself. Perfection isn’t everything it is cracked up to be!
The book was written by Peter Harris and illustrated by Deborah Allwright, both from have roots in London. It was copyrighted in 2003 and published by Gingham Dog Press an imprint of McGraw-Hill Children’s Companies. www.MHkids.com
Skinny Dip is the story of a salacious marine scientist who seemed to have conned his way into his degree. His life’s work is about saving the Florida everglades; which in fact he care absolutely nothing about. Chaz Perrone has only one true love and that is himself. He has been hired secretely to work for a Florida multi-millionaire tomatoe farmer who is adding to the destruction of the everglades by the run off from his farms; he needs Chaz to doctor the water quality test results to keep him in business.
Chaz takes his beautiful young wife on an anniversary cruise to celebrate their second anniversary. He has ulterior motives (murder) because he thinks that she has found out the truth about his illegal activities. He “helps” her into the ocean off of the rail of the ocean liner. This is where the myterious workings begin to take an interesting turn. Revenge behaviors take root in this story in a variety of ways…not all of them are credible…but, fantasy-wise…the twists and turns are somewhat entertaining.
While the story has a way of keeping you tuned in….i myself could have done without the crude language and the overkill on his deviant personality. I understood in the beginning how bent Chaz was….by the end of the book…i felt that the author had almost turned him into a cartoon character of himself. He goes into a field of study that is far removed from his real interests; and, doubled with his character’s deep fear of the dangers involved with his job…it seems a bit unbelievable that he would be able to maintain his job long enough for the story to take place.
However, the issue of the destruction of the everglades is important enough to learn about by reading about people who serve their own interests before the issue of our healthy environment; there really are some people with that type of character. If you are bothered by extreme crude language or behavior…this book isn’t for you…if you can overlook it to follow the thread of the story…it is an interesting read.
Carl Hiaasen is the author and he lives in Florida. He knows the area well. So, it is good that this book brings an awareness to the public about the fragile balance that must be maintained for the health of Florida everglades. He has authored over ten books and has also written for the newspaper the miami Herald. This book was published in 2004 by Alfred A. Knopf. www.aaknopf.com
Rainy’s Recommendations
