Book: Joyful
Trouble
Author: Patricia
Furstenberg
Independently
Published with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
ISBN: 978-1521089576
ASIN: B07227P973
Publication date: 17
April 2017
Target audience:
6-10
Genre: Children's, Animals,
Historical, Humour
Synopsis:
A humourous read about an
incredible dog and how he had found his true, yet unexpected calling.
A dog. A friendship. A
purpose.
When a Great Dane arrives in a
navy base nobody expects him to win everybody’s hearts, although breaking some
rules along the way. But things soon turn sour as somebody threatens to put him
to sleep. Who will stand up for this for-legged gentle giant?
Tackling universal themes and
voicing animal rights and the importance of fighting for what is right.
Book Review by
Nadaness In Motion
Joyful Trouble by Patricia Furstenberg is a
fun, fast-paced read about a Great Dane named Joyful Trouble, who befriends
seamen on a naval base in South Africa and is later added to the base as a
member.
The book opens with Ana and
Tommy, who are nine and five, respectively, asking their grandfather to tell
them the story of Joyful Trouble.
"Doggies! I want to see
the custard Danish!"
"Great Danes, Tommy. They
are Great Danes."
The Great Dane easily
befriends the seamen, but its unpaid rides on the train anger the ticket
collectors and officials, who ask that he be put to sleep so they can get rid
of him.
"The poor dog was in
trouble for being a friendly, four-legged creature."
What happens after that is
beautiful and according to the author based on a true story.
Joyful Trouble is enlisted as
"ordinary seamen" and becomes part of the navy.
I liked how Patricia
Furstenberg weaved the story of Joyful Trouble as a story within a story.
There are intermittent parts
where the children ask questions, express worry or excitement about the events
of the story and so on, which reminds the reader that they're not just reading
about the dog but about other people as well. It also provides some comedy,
especially when Tommy jumps in.
"Choo-choo train!"
Exclaimed Tommy and he was soon a train himself, running along the living room,
following the carpet lines like imaginary train tracks.
The characters are adorable,
especially Tommy, whom I absolutely loved. He's super cute and funny and makes
the book light, whereas his sister Ana is the grown up one who keeps asking her grandfather to tell her more about Joyful Trouble and his adventures.
"I knew what was at
stake."
"'Steak!' Exclaimed Tommy
suddenly, wide awake. "I'm hungry!"
 |
| Photo credit: Patricia Furstenberg |
It is worth mentioning that
the novella has several tales about Joyful Trouble, from the day the
grandfather as a young seaman meets the dog till the day Joyful Trouble dies
(which made me cry).
Overall, Joyful Trouble
is a must read for all ages.
Overall rating: 5
stars
Note: I received a free copy
of Joyful Trouble from its author Patricia Furstenberg in exchange for
an honest review.
Update: Check out Nadaness In Motion's interview with author Patricia Furstenberg.
Update: Check out Nadaness In Motion's interview with author Patricia Furstenberg.
About the Author:
Patricia Furstenberg came to writing through reading.
She is known to carry a book or pen and paper everywhere she goes.
Patricia enjoys writing for children because she can
take abstract, grown-up concepts and package them in attractive, humorous, child-friendly
words and pictures, while adding sensitivity and lots of love. What fuels her
is a need to write and… coffee, “None. Plus? Five cups.”
After completing her Medical Degree in Romania, she
moved to South Africa, where she now lives with her husband, children, and their
dogs.
Connect with author Patricia
Furstenberg via her Author Website, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Huffington Post SA, Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
