An Uplifting Tale for Young Readers
Change can be thrilling for some, but for young children, it can also be a little bit daunting. Rodney’s Big Move by renowned writer Cheryl Fransworth is a wonderful children’s book that handsomely describes the sentiments of starting anew in a novel habitation. With relevant characters, heartening moments, and a fascinating setting, this story follows Rodney the raccoon as he steers the trials and tribulations of moving to a new home, starting school, making new friends, missing a friend, and starting kindergarten.
Ideal for preschoolers and early elementary kids, this book is a must-read for parents and educators looking to aid children say hello to newer experiences with self-reliance and happiness.
Meet Rodney: A Relatable Young Hero
“Rodney woke up to the sound of the moving truck backing into his driveway. Today was moving day! He and his family were moving to Spruce Hollow. Rodney had mixed feelings about the move. He thought about all the good times he and his best friend Sam had had. “I am going to miss him,” thought Rodney,” Rodney is a dreamy, curious, and cheerful young fellow who has to say goodbye to his old town where he used to live with his parents, has a good friend and confidante named Sam. Rodney is little bit nervous about changes, leaving his old town and best friend behind and start a new life at Spruce Hollow.
The Enchanting Magic of Spruce Hollow
The most whimsically delightful part of the book is when Rodney discovers his now favorite big tree and the beautiful, starry night sky at night. He loved to toss his soccer ball around underneath the calm and blue sky, magical stars, glowingly stunning fireflies, and the shiny moon. He especially loved how fireflies lit up the park and how in tune and synchronized their movements were.
“”This tree is awesome”, he declared, as he scooted up to one of the highest branches in one of the tallest trees in Spruce Hollow. At night time no one can see me at all! “What a great place to have adventures and build a tree fort!.” Making the fort up at the long branches of tree was exciting. All the anxieties about moving to a new home, starting school, making friends, missing a friend, nervous about changes started to fade quickly as Rodney became accustomed to starry skied Spruce Hollow.
Remembering Old Friend
Perhaps the most heartfelt moment of the book are the letters Rodney wrote to Sam whom he misses dearly as he has not yet made any new friends at Spruce Hollow at this point. In his emotional yet optimistic letters about Spruce Hollow, Rodney told his old friend about his new hiding place – the forte up at the tallest tree of the town, practicing soccer, heading the ball five times before he missed.
A New, Welcoming Friend Changes Perspective about Spruce Hollow
Friendship is a pleasing and enchanted thing, having an amigo and a pal to play with and confide in is indispensable for us. All of the fears of moving to a new home, starting school, nervous about changes, swiftly disappeared when Rodney met Seth, a welcoming raccoon who shared Rodney’s passion for exploits and sports.
Why Parents and Educators Will Love This Book
Rodney’s Big Move is a charmingly told story with colorful illustrations that flawlessly depicts the quintessence of fears associated with overwhelming challenges such as leaving old home and friends behind, starting anew, moving to a new home, starting school, making friends, missing a friend, nervous about changes. It is an entertaining and uplifting story that teaches kids about flexibility, compassion, and accepting new horizons.
The book wholeheartedly explores and teaches about how children must be resilient – flexible about changes, must be kind to fellow beings, and must embrace newer experiences that come in their life as they grow old.
Cheryl Fransworth is a master of storytelling aimed at kids, teaching them valuable life lessons. The book is available at Amazon, book stores, and online retailers. It is highly recommended for parents and teachers wanting kids to learn about overcoming fears about changes and embrace them with open arms.