MORRIS THE VILLAGE VOICE ~ Written & Illustrated by DORIS RUEGER

 

Children’s book highlights importance of building self-esteem in children

Morris the Village Voice by Doris Rueger brings timeless lessons and traditional values to children through the fictional story of an advertising column’s struggle to stand proud

BELLPORT, N.Y. – Doris Rueger uses a humanized advertising column to educate her young readers about important values and lessons that will help them in life in her new book, Morris the Village Voice. Rueger, who is also the illustrator, offers her young audience valuable messages and lessons, like knowing and loving oneself, speaking up, asking for help, working together and much more.

In the center of a small village an advertising column that highlights all of the latest local attractions stands tall and proud. The personified column goes by Morris, and throughout Morris the Village Voice, he shares all the things he loves about being an advertising column. Children would race around him and get so excited whenever a new flyer for the circus was posted, while parents could turn to him for the latest in news and events. 

But when the village’s advertising committee and mayor want to replace him with an update, glitzy billboard, Morris is heartbroken. Despite his pain, he asks two of his young visitors, Anna and Jason, for help. With the children, prayer and positive thinking on his side, Morris believes he has a great chance of standing in the middle of the village square for years to come.

Rueger used her grandchildren as a vehicle for writing Morris the Village Voice. Her love and admiration for them led her to create a story that she hopes will inspire and encourage their generation and many more to come.

“I want to teach children the value of living, learning and loving themselves for who they are,” Rueger says. “If you believe in something strongly, you can make a difference!”

She wants her readers, regardless of how young they may seem, to understand the importance of asking for help, standing up for themselves and their beliefs and self acceptance. She believes it is these lessons that help us all live a healthy and creative life.

ISBN: 978-1475296358

Publisher: CreateSpace

Date of publish: September 2012

Pages: 32

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

About Author

A native of Germany, Doris Rueger received her master’s in literature and journalism in the United States. Rueger spent 30 years working in the scientific community and now writes and illustrates children’s books in New York.


My Thoughts

In a small little village, right in the middle of town stood a handsome tall column named Morris.  Morris was an "advertising column".  People and businesses would put posters on the column to promote an important event.  Morris was a very popular spot to visit.  Kids would run circles around  him grownups would come to read the current events and to sit on the comfortable little bench that sat nearby.

As time went by, people and businesses began advertising in modern ways like neon sign and such.  Which left Morris to be neglected . He was getting rusty and posters were peeling off him.  People stopped visiting him.  He was nothing more than an eye sore.

One day a young girl passed by Morris and told her friend she remembered coming to this place and playing.  She said it was a shame that Morris had been so neglected.  When she went home she told her parents she would like to get some friends together and clean up Morris and the area around the column so people would  remember what a happy place it use to be. People needed to have more respect their village history.

What all could she and her friends do to bring life back to Morris as it had been in the past?
They had some wonderful ideas and I am sure you could think of a few yourself.  Be sure to read the book to find out what the Village people did to restore Morris.

The author teaches the importance for historical preservation of famous landmarks.  This is something that young and old need to learn what they can do to preserve history in their local area.   Respect historical places.

The artwork in this book is refreshing and will undoubtedly be appealing to children.  Who doesn't enjoy drawing and coloring?

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 4 out of 5.

Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from Bostick Communications/Author for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.