The Hyrax Song

Pearls of Wisdom Series Book 2

Children - Adventure
110 Pages
Reviewed on 04/16/2022
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Author Biography

Catherine (Cat) Ann Russell, moved to action in 2019 to address the infant and child famine crises in Yemen, wrote and published children’s books to support organized emergency famine relief efforts through her Basketful Relief Project (www.basketfulreliefproject.com). She has written three children's picture books: Get to Bed!, The Little Book of Why, and Picco and Wren Three. From there, she wrote a children’s chapter book series, The Pearls of Wisdom Series, each inspired by a Biblical Proverb: The Pond of Reflection, The Hyrax Song, and The Zoe-Chai Seed. In 2002, she started her own digital multimedia company in 2002 called Spike Productions (www.spikeproductions.com), after a career as a professional research scientist at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Cat lives in Lyons, Colorado, with her husband, Ed, and several farm animals, including two burros named Nikki and Norman.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Hyrax Song (Pearls of Wisdom Series Book 2) is a work of fiction in the fantasy and adventure subgenres, and it forms the second installment of the series. This work by Catherine Ann Russell and artist Brooke Connor is intended for children. We follow a series of adorable animal creatures on a quest to find the truest version of themselves in this short tale based on Biblical messages of goodwill to others. Our protagonist, the mouse Princess Journee, must band together with friends old and new to save her father’s kingdom from a dark fate that awaits. In doing so, she will encounter all different kinds of personalities and ideas and learn to embrace others with acceptance and cooperation.

I enjoy children’s works that have a clear moral message but also manage to tell a compelling story without simply turning it into another sermon or lecture on Biblical morals. Catherine Ann Russell achieves this beautifully in this succinct but memorable work that independent readers will certainly enjoy escaping into. To add to the layers of clever storytelling and positive theming, the illustrations by Brooke Connor make the story come to life for those whose imaginations need a little more of a nudge. The combined approach gives a unique personality to Journee and each of her lovable friends, making readers even more invested in the outcome of their adventures. The Hyrax Song will certainly please fans of the first work in the series, and newcomers will adore discovering a new storytelling style from a creative team with an uplifting message to share.

Grady Harp

Grady HarpTop Contributor: Children's Books
HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars ‘There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise’ Proverbs 30:24
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2022
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Colorado author Catherine Ann Russell served as a professional research scientist at National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration before forming Spike Productions – a digital multimedia company, then formed Basket Relief Project, a humanitarian service supporting famine relief. She is joined by illustrator Brooke Connor, a retired environmental chemist, in this Pearls of Wisdom series. Two scientists address finding true identity.

The referenced Proverb upon which this story is partially quoted above. Russell embellishes the Proverb by continuing the adventures of Princess Journee and her animal fiends who discover a rock hyrax whose influence empowers this well scribed (and illustrated) lesson on helping neighbors and finding that power comes in small packages. The theme of working together to accomplish seemingly impossible goals encourages children’s response patterns. This is an excellent story for children – of all ages! – and a welcome addition to the library of caring families. Grady Harp, May 22

Martha Custis

Martha Custis
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Educational
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2022
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Catherine Ann Russell’s The Hyrax Song (The Pearls of Wisdom Series: Stories Inspired by a Biblical Proverb Book 2) is a fun and educational book for primary school aged children. The story follows how when a strange creature suddenly appears on a rock, Princess Journee the frog and her animal friends must work together and trust one another to set everything straight again.
One of the aspects I really liked was how teamwork was emphasized in the book, as well as how the characters each find their own personal strengths. I feel as though it teaches good lessons but without being overbearing or boring to children.
The lovely illustrations by Brooke Connor add the perfect final touch making the book as beautiful as it is fun to read.

Mia C.

Mia C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
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“The Hyrax Song '' is the second book in “The Pearls of Wisdom Series: Stories Inspired by a Biblical Proverb” written by Catherine Ann Russell and beautifully illustrated by Brooke Connor.
The kids at home have enjoyed the first book in this series and they loved it, so we were eager to read this second part. Inspired by a biblical proverb, this story is adventurous and entertaining while teaching some morals to kids such as working together and helping the neighbor. It is a great tool to teach our kids these important things.
I liked how it is written and it is not very long taking into account the intended audience: kids from 6 to 10 years old. I would certainly recommend reading The Hyrax Song.

Susan Bi

Susan Bi.
5.0 out of 5 stars This installment has it all
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2022
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Author Russel has been able to craft something incredible here and in book 1: stories inspired by biblical proverbs. Communicating morals through tales, that’s so genius!
This one is the second book and it touches on the biblical proverb 30:24-28 (NKJV) and the moral of helping your neighbor is the one that is promoted in this narrative.
I read it through to my grandchildren during bedtime and each of them feels hooked and entertained, so definitely the read served its purpose. Besides, they enjoyed its well-done pictures, its lively dialogues and lullabies!
This installment really has it all, I will definitely get its sequel soon.

Dave

Dave
5.0 out of 5 stars Tale of being good/savvy neighbor
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2022
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This is a gentle tale of cooperation, communication, and being a good neighbor.
Princess Journee the mouse discovers more about herself and her friends
when they encounter and tackle new challenges together.
The illustrations in this book are first-rate and bring the prose to life with whimsy and charm.
(I recommend the hard-cover form of the book in order to best enjoy the beautiful full-color
versions of the artwork.) The life lessons in The Hyrax Song invite introspection and
deeper discussions with your children.

Meera Jhogasundram

Meera Jhogasundram
5.0 out of 5 stars Unity is priceless
Reviewed in Germany on March 30, 2022
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Teamwork is a skill and an art. Children will learn that they can achieve much more with cooperation and collaboration through this book. Another important quality emphasized is friendship. Working towards a common goal will bond members of the same tribe stronger. A biblical proverb portrayed beautifully for all to enjoy!

Airwolf

Airwolf
5.0 out of 5 stars The Hyrax Song
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2022
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As all good children’s books do, “The Hyrax Song” intrigues the reader from the first as we are whisked into a faraway adventure in a mysterious land mapped in just enough detail for us to follow and wonder at the places shown. The talking animals seem just like us with their laughable foibles and love of creature comforts. The tale is accompanied by marvelous illustrations perfect for young listeners while the story is read aloud.
Following a simple proverb about the wisdom in seemingly ordinary creatures, the story shows how insight is born by looking for character and meaning from the “inside-out” rather than from the “outside-in”. The story is told with freshness and humor and includes vivid and accurate descriptions of the natural world such as “The field was the result of ancient rockslides off the southern cliffs of the High Western Mountains.”
Using songs in unknown languages from days of old, set in a time of kings and kingdoms, the story evokes longing for days of mystery, adventure, as our new friends use their inborn talents to face great adversity. A fun read that will captivate young listeners and those young at heart!

Aaron

Aaron
5.0 out of 5 stars Great lessons and beautifully written!
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2022
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The Hyrax song is a fantastic read for kids that are now diving into chapter books or for families reading together at night. The story moves along quickly, the characters are fun and engaging, and the lessons inspired throughout are the types that we all want our children growing up with. You won’t be disappointed!

Mary J. Elverhoy

Mary J. Elverhoy
5.0 out of 5 stars For this is what neighbors do!
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2022
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The Hyrax Song was an absolute delight to read! Through the author's text, I could close my eyes and imagine the various characters and places in the story. I could even hear the Hyrax Song. The writing is thoughtful, creative and purposeful. I appreciated the messages throughout the book and would have loved reading this to my children when they were young. Great book to read aloud as a family or read as a class and discuss. I'm excited to read the next book in the Pearls of Wisdom Series by Catherine Ann Russell. Bravo and thank you!

Cathy Stallings

Cathy Stallings
5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging story that teaches and inspires
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2022
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This story paints a beautiful picture of what life should look like when a crisis occurs—loving cooperation, wisdom that considers others and not only oneself, kindness and generosity, great and small using their unique God given gifts, and nuggets of humor along the way. The illustrations are beautiful and touching. The story is triumphant. You won’t be disappointed.