This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Not all homes are happy places to raise a child. Parents make promises to protect their young ones, but they don’t always follow through with their promises. That’s what happened to Phil. His parents made a promise never to hurt him, but they did. Phil was a very sad little boy. He spoke out to the only creature who would listen, who might understand – the little bird at the window. The bird listens intently, but all he can say in response is ‘chirp.’ Perhaps all anyone can do really is listen and care.
Michael A. Brown’s picture book story, They Said They’d Never…, is a touching, heart-wrenching story about broken promises and child abuse. The story is told from the perspective of the little bird, who listens as he shares the story with another bird. The two birds communicate, their dialogue appearing in bubbles to identify which bird is speaking. The colorful illustrations are bold and clearly lead the plot forward. The reader will instantly feel compassion for the sad boy leaning on the windowsill, sharing his plight with the only one who will listen – the little bird. This is a difficult story to read, but one that will resonate with many. The author concludes with a chart, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which clearly outlines what all humans need for a happy, contented, and positive life. The point is evident in this chart and delivered too by the little bird to his partner: “They won’t do differently until they learn differently to teach differently so Phil can live differently.”
