“This Way Charlie”
by Caron Levis, illustrated by Charles Santoso.
Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York, 2020, 40 pages, K-3
Animal stories have great attraction for children. There are many reasons for this. First, many children have pets and can identify characters in the story.
Second, the animals in these stories face issues that youngsters face: Will people like me? Am I going to be able to make friends? What do I do when I am faced with a difficult situation? As the animals figure out the answers to these problems, the children can often work out their own issues.
Finally, animal stories can provide pleasant reading experiences. Caron Levis writes such a story in “This Way Charlie.” Two very different animals learn to get along with each other and eventually become fast friends.
Many of the animals at Open Bud Ranch are recovering from injuries. Jack is a billy goat not wanting to get close to the other animals. Antonia works at the ranch and cares for the sick animals.
One day, a trailer unloads a horse named Charlie. As the other animals look on, Charlie tries to get to know them. When he steps too close to Jack, the billy goat snarls at him.
Startled, Charlie backs away and says that he didn’t see Jack. Sadly, one of Charlie’s eyes is badly injured, leaving him blinded in that eye. However, Charlie doesn’t let his handicap stop him from enjoying the ranch and the other animals. Unfortunately, Charlie’s vision keeps him from many things and finally he loses sight in the other eye. Jack observes all of this.
Eventually, Jack asks Charlie to follow him into a beautiful meadow filled with sunlight and honeysuckles. Their relationship grows. A strange feeling begins to form in Jack. Charlie’s kindness is Jack’s bridge to friendship. But Jack still has more lessons to learn. When Charlie begins a story by telling Jack: “The way I see it,” Jack becomes impatient and screams at Charlie. “You can’t see.” Both animals are startled by Jack’s angry response.
As they dejectedly walk home, a storm breaks out. Jack tries to call out to Charlie, but the horse can’t see him. Suddenly a large limb breaks off a tree. Charlie is pinned under the tree. Jack doesn’t know what to do. His friend, he recently belittled is in danger. What happens?
Does Jack get help from the Open Bud Ranch? What would you do if you were blinded in a raging storm? How does Jack feel about his treatment of Charlie? After all, Charlie has been a good friend to the billy goat. How does Jack overcome his temper and impatience? To find out the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out this lovely tale, “This Way Charlie” by Caron Levis.
This heartwarming book is on the Golden Sower List for Grades K-3 for 2022. It is a charming story of the development of friendship and the need to accept the limitations that people must live with. The art work is endearing and younger children will be drawn to the pictures. This is a great book to read with the younger members of your family. It is simply a delightful book. Enjoy!
