When the Angel Sent Butterflies by Jody Sharpe
Reviewed by Mark D. Walker
I read and reviewed Town of Angels, which is part of the “Mystic Bay Series” several years ago, and appreciated that this inspirational book proved the power of the human spirit to move on despite incredible tragedy and personal loss. The author’s daughter, Kate, was killed in a tragic accident, and then her husband died, and during a difficult period where many would have succumbed to despair, she had a dream in which a voice told her to read “Charlotte’s Web,” by E.V. White, which is a children’s book. Initially, she didn’t know why she should read it until the last line of the text revealed that, “Nobody would take the place of Charlotte in the heart of Wilbur.” This thought helped the author go on and honor her beloved daughter and her husband.
I read When the Angel Sent Butterflies to my grandchildren over the weekend, and although I didn’t feel qualified to review it, my granddaughter did. Like all the authors’ work, it’s uplifting, and my grandchildren seemed enthralled with the story and the excellent drawings about how love conquers fear and that angels are close by and can sweep away any fears they might have.
As soon as I finished reading this book, I showed them the spaces at the end where they could draw some of the key characters in the story, angels, butterflies, and bees. My six-year-old took the book to her desk and began drawing immediately. And as you’ll see below, she highly endorses this inspiring book.
The Author
Jody Sharpe had a rewarding career in Special Education. Writing about angels became healing after losing her daughter and then her husband. She has written three other fiction novels about angels who live among us: The Angel’s Daughter, To Catch An Angel, and Town of Angels.
Susan Clare Anderson is the illustrator. She has an associate Teacher Certificate and additional studies in Child development.
Product details
- Publisher : Jody Sharpe (February 28, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 24 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0988562081
- ISBN-13 : 978-0988562080
- Item Weight : 21 ounces
- Dimensions : 5 x 0.06 x 11 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,592,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #17,368 in Children’s Dog Books (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
The Reviewer
Mark Walker was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala and spent over forty years helping disadvantaged people in the developing world. He’s worked with groups like CARE and MAP International, Food for the Hungry, Make-A-Wish International, and was the CEO of Hagar USA.
His book, Different Latitudes: My Life in the Peace Corps and Beyond, was recognized by the Arizona Literary Association. According to the Midwest Review, it “…is more than just another travel memoir. It is an engaged and engaging story of one man’s physical and spiritual journey of self-discovery.”
His articles have been published in Ragazine and WorldView Magazines, Literary Yard, Scarlet Leaf Review, and Quail BELL. At the same time, the Solas Literary Award recognized two essays, including a Bronze award, in this year’s “Best Travel Writing” Travel Adventure category. Two of his essays were winners at the Arizona Authors Association Literary Competition, and another was recently published in ELAND Press’s newsletter. He’s a contributing writer for “Revue Magazine” and the “Literary Traveler.” His column, “The Million Mile Walker Review: What We’re Reading and Why,” is part of the Arizona Authors Association newsletter. He’s working on his next book, Moritz Thomsen, The Best American Writer No One’s Heard Of. He continues to produce a documentary on indigenous rights and out-migration from Guatemala, “Trouble in the Highlands.” His wife and three children were born in Guatemala. You can learn more at www.MillionMileWalker.com.