Tales from the Garden by Sally Cronin is at heart a book for all ages. I read several excerpts of the book in posts on Sally’s blog (Smorgasbord – Variety is the Spice of Life — https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/) and decided to read the entire book.
This is a collection of imaginative stories giving life to the various stone creatures that inhabit her garden: lions, eagles, dogs, dwarves, butterflies, young boys and beautiful girls, and of course the world of fairies living under the magnolia tree. All of them come alive at night and there is a story about each of them – how they came to live there, how they contribute to the busy life of the garden.
The author imbues each of these creatures with a charming personality and a backstory that reminds the reader of long ago folktales. The writing is smooth with a gentle quality and effortlessly provides lessons in responsibility, loyalty, love, and respect. This adult was transported back to her childhood and was left smiling and a little bereft after the last page, reminding me of The Borrowers, one of my early favorites.
I highly recommend this book to the parents of young children – it will be on the list of books that I give each year – and I hope all who read this review will indulge their inner child and get a copy for themselves.
Ten stars if it were possible!
About the author
After working in a number of industries for over 25 years, Sally decided to pursue a completely different career and began studying nutrition and the human body, ultimately opening her first diet advisory center in Ireland in 1998. Over the last 18 years, she has practiced in Ireland and the UK and has written columns, articles and radio programs on health and nutrition.
She published her first book with a Canadian self-publisher in the late 90s and since then has released eight others as part of her own self-publishing company. Apart from health, she also enjoys writing fiction in the form of novels and short stories. All of her books demonstrate her humor, charm and love for her subjects.
Sharing and adding this one to my TBR! 🙂
Yes! And great reading to little ones!
Thank you for sharing Bette. xx
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
I was so delightedly surprised when Noelle Granger emailed me to let me know she had reviewed Tales from the Garden.. I am always so touched when people read my stories and respond to them in this way. I hope you will head over and read the review.. and buy the book of course (oops.. I nearly forgot I am a book promoter I was so excited)
Thank you so much Noelle it is a wonderful review and loved it. Really appreciate it.. Sally
You are most welcome,Sally, especially after all the help you’ve sent my way! I will post this review to Amazon and Goodreads.
Thank you Noelle..lovely and I have put it the cafe and bookstore update tomorrow with you link. No point owning a bookstore and not using it!! hugs
Wonderful review, Noelle. I was most intrigued by your comment that you felt a bit bereft when you finished. I love book hangovers 🙂 Appropriate for a 4 year old?
I thought is was a lovely review Diana.. I am so pleased.
Book hangover – great term, Yes, it was that. And indeed this is a great book for a four year old.
Thanks!
Anything that reminds a reader of the Borrowers has got to be worth a look! On the TBR list.
I loved that part of the review too Jessica.
Perfect for littles and also for this adult! Hope you get to read it soon!
I had no idea it was about this. How did I miss that? Takes from stone creatures who come alive at night??? 😍 On my TBR list. Thanks for sharing!
Hope you enjoy Sarah.
Definitely Narnia-like!
Bah! I meant “tales from stone creatures”.
Yes! It did remind me of Narnia (but much nicer, of course). 🙂
A well deserved, fantastic review of Sally’s book! 🙂
Definitely well- deserved. I intend to buy copies for Christmas presents!
What a lovely idea! 🙂
Thank you Debby… hugs xx
<3
What a lovely review and so true too!! 🙂
Thank you, Judy!
Thank you Judy. xx
This wasn’t intended but I made me smile: “Sally decided to pursue a completely different career and began studying nutrition and the human boy…”
Ooops! I can fix!
I think it should stand but perhaps add toy in the middle… xx
🙂 🙂
Whoops I did it too! … but IT made me smile! Don’t you love “poofreading.” Also there’s another typo in the bio: “…since then has released eight others as part her own self-publishing company. .” part of her own. I have a book out with the first mistake in it, I instead of It, and dropped words are a problem for me in my own writing.
Thanks so much! I wrote this at night – maybe that was it!
A lovely review of Sally’s book. I have just started reading this book and it is right up my street. It may even inspire a new range of fondant fairies…
Thanks Robbie and that would be lovely… will have to get cracking on the Irish edition. xx
Oooo,fondant fairies. We will need pictures!
Terrific review, Noelle. If I were perusing Amazon and came across it, I’d be stopped in my tracks. Actually, my inner child would stop me in my tracks, as you spoke directly to her heart ♥
Thank you Tina… we love your inner child. xx
Thank you, Tina. Sally spoke to my inner child!
A wonderful review, Noelle. I must get to this collection. 🙂
Absolutely! I’ve added it to my list of must have books for children! And me too!
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