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Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite
The Word Keeper by James Burnell is an insightful story that follows the Zumans of the Zoogan planet. They have lived together for many years, yet they still struggle to understand each other. Whenever one Zuman says something, the others hear something different, leading to confusion and many misunderstandings. To address these issues, the Zumans randomly choose one among themselves to be the Word Keeper, responsible for maintaining the Zuckle, a word book used for interpretation and teaching in schools. Zeeper was the most effective Word Keeper; he worked diligently to ensure that everyone understood one another. Unfortunately, after his retirement, the lazy Zeeber was selected as his replacement. Zeeber neglected his duties, resulting in further confusion on the planet. When he recognized the consequences of his actions, he realized he needed to take responsibility and perform his role to help restore peace and order.
The Word Keeper is filled with lessons about the importance of language and being responsible. It is part of The Zoogan Chronicles, which aims to take children on adventures to unknown, wondrous places. The Zumans are fascinating creatures with two horns on their heads and fur-covered skin. James Burnell’s storytelling brings them to life, inviting readers to reflect on their amusing way of living. Although their language barrier leads to humorous situations, it also emphasizes how language fosters clarity, harmony, and understanding within a community. The story highlights that while creativity and playfulness are valuable, they must be balanced with structure to avoid confusion and conflict. The colorful illustrations transport readers to Zoogan, vividly depicting its inhabitants and environment. It also includes engaging wordplay and a subtle message about dyslexia, adding a heartwarming touch to the narrative. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates humorous stories about language, responsibility, and community.
