A new review for both Aidan’s First Full Moon Circle and for Watchers by W. Lyon Martin have been posted to the internet by Michael Gleason. Thank you for the wonderful words, Michael!

Aidan’s First Full Moon Circle by W. Lyon Martin (© 2008 Magical Child Books, ISBN:978-0979683442, 32 pages, Hardbound, $16.95 U.S.)

This is going to be a short review, simply because the book itself is very short. Ms. Martin has created a book which fulfills multiple purposes in spite of the shortness of the story. She has captured, in easily understandable form, the feelings that everyone – child or adult – has when they finally celebrate a ritual with more than just their family.

The illustrations are soft and pretty. Little ones will enjoy looking at them as they read this story.

As well as learning a few simple ritual terms and actions there is a simple mystery. Seamus the squirrel needs to find his acorns in order to survive the winter. There are different numbers of them in each picture and they will inspire those too young to read on their own to find them.

The story is simple but the lessons are important – accept responsibility, take help if you need it, open yourself to new experiences, and act responsibly. This is a wonderful introduction to group workings and interactions.

And…

Watchers by W. Lyon Martin (© 2008, Magical Child Books, ISBN:978-0979683459, 32 pages, Hardbound, $16.95 U.S.)

Lyon Martin met a lady who shared a poem she learned from her grandmother. That poem inspired this book.

Thomas is being stalked by monsters at night. He can’t see them, but he can see their eyes in the dark. A plan is made to catch them. A trap is set – and triggered. Then the “monsters” are revealed as…Nope, I’m not telling. You need to get this book and share it with your little ones. It is a positive approach to childhood anxieties, as well as a fun story.

The illustrations, although some of them are dark (hey, it’s bedtime and lights out) are not in the least threatening, and because of their softness and depth of detail, will entertain your child almost as much as the story itself.

I highly recommend this book, as well as others by the same author. Her books are fun, the bindings are library reinforced (so they will hold up for the long run), and are printed on recycled paper.