The Very Worried Sparrow

by Meryl Doney, Gillian Gaze (Illustrator)

Here's a popular story that comforts children and teaches them to rely on God. In this tale, a sparrow who worries about everything learns about the Father who made and cares for His creation, even the tiniest of sparrows. Over 250,000 copies sold in its original picture-book format.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1983

Reviews

[☯ DαякєηRнαℓ ❛ ᶜʳᵒᵘᶜʰᶤᶰᵍ ʰᵘᵐᵃᶰ ; ʰᶤᵈᵈᵉᶰ ᵗᶤᵗᵃᶰ ❜ · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Book Name) The Very Worried Sparrow
(Book Series) None
(Book Series Number) Invalid
(Author Name) Meryl Doney
(Book Illustrator) William Geldart
(Published By) Lion Children's Books
(ISBN Number) 074594437
(Time Taken To Read Altogether) A Few Minutes
(Time Spent Not Reading) A Few Minutes
(Total Reading Time) A Few Minutes
(Final Rating) 5 Stars
(Book Smell) Not Much Smell, Glossy Something Smell
(Disclaimer)
This review is an honest representation of my personal thoughts and feelings and was in no way done by bribery or coercion. I will not say read this book nor will I say do not read this book. Whether you the reader of this review reads it or not, is entirely up to you. Whether you like or hate it is also entirely up to you. The following review is again my own personal thoughts and feelings towards this story. Please enjoy.







(The Book Synopsis)

A popular story that comforts children and teaches them to rely on God. In this tale, a sparrow who worries about everything learns about the Father who made and cares for His creation, even the tiniest of sparrows.







(Writing)

The writing is well done. It is for an older child I think. In my edition there are no spelling mistakes and is relatively small. However there is a good paragraph of the story on each page and while it is done in a simple manner a really small child might find it hard. In my book the writing is small but neat. Again a paragraph of small printed words can be found on each page. Again the writing is simple but for a young child complex. I believe I just repeated myself. It is not done in a rhyming fashion and has an older feel about it. It's also not the most classical children's book but rather it delivers a very important message I think would aid any and all children in growing up. It is this message I adore so much and why I gave this book it's five stars.







(The Pace)

The pace of this book, again for a young child might be difficult however for an older child and of course for an adult it's a quick and relatively easy read, I can read this book in about ten to fifteen minutes myself given there are not any distractions and I don't waste time looking at the beautiful illustrations. It's fast paced however since it is a small book, again it's no surprise. I rather like that such an important message is delivered in only a few pages. Simplistic and quick. Who can argue with that?







(The Landscape)

The landscape is very poorly described in text, however since this is an illustrated book, there are literal picture representations of the world which The Very Worried Sparrow finds himself in. I found the illustrations to be beautiful and very well executed. In fact I give five stars to this alone. The colours are anything from plain and muted to vibrant and highly colourful. Facial expressions and general animal outlines were very well done and without words, through sheer pictures the book is relatively easily understood and followed. I really liked the illustrations if you couldn't guess already.







(The Characters Both Good & Evil)

There are a few characters who we meet along the way in this tale. We meet The Very Worried Sparrows Father and Mother. His Brothers and Sisters, His Very Shy Mate. Also Dove and The Great Father along with a few background characters which might be described within the books as 'villainous'. Those being the fox, the sparrowhawk and the cat. In depth character description and personalities are not really described in this book however as a children's tale that is not very odd. Also it can be said that not all characters are 'bland'. The Very Worried Sparrow is brought to life and indeed is a rather worry wart in general. His Shy Mate is sweet and caring I would say along with Turtle-Dove being wise and like a elder figure in the story. Characters which I rather found myself liking a lot considering this is a children's book and I am far beyond being a child any longer.







(The Story Through My Eyes & My Personal Thoughts Along The Way Too)

The story follows The Very Worried Sparrow. A sparrow who simply worries about anything and everything. Finding food, avoiding predators, finding a mate, finding a nest, looking after future eggs. Everything. As a young chick he did not listen as his Father told him and his brothers and sisters the story of The Great Father and instead worried about things. He went through life worrying, but yet in learning to fly, in finding food, avoiding prey, finding his Shy Little Mate and also finding a suitable place to build a fine nest, he succeeded in overcoming each obstacle. However as his Mate sat on their eggs, he was worrying more then ever. And then one day a Turtle-Dove noticed his worrying face and asked this very worried little sparrow what was the matter. So the sparrow told Dove his fears and worries. And Dove asked, 'but did you not hear the story of The Great Father'. Replying no, he had not since he was too busy worrying to pay attention, Dove proceeds to tell the story of The Great Father.

How it was he who had created the land. Of where the wind comes from and all the little things each creature knows. The seasons and the years, of new beginning and of all's whose time has come to an end. In so listening to the story, in so being pointed out that despite his worries had he come this far, the very worried sparrow is no longer so worried. And by the time his chicks hatch, he's an altogether different bird. I really liked this story and the message it brought. I'm not very religious, but I'm glad a 'higher being' was imagined and not named and how it brought comfort to the formerly very worried sparrow. I think we could all do with such knowledge and comfort in our lives and it is thus were my five star rating comes from. I highly liked and enjoyed this book and I probably will for the rest of my days. However long that may be. Since I have found this liking in my later years. Not so much as a young one if I remember right. Its a very unconventional children's book but one I believe every child should hear at least once in their lifetime. I very good book indeed.







(Other Stuff)

I have said this is an unconventional children's book. I say so because it is not a feel good very light story read for a child at let's say bedtime. Its a book with a message and a very good one at that. I really love this book and that message and I think it would help in creating many more not so very worried sparrows. I love the illustrations and I love this story. It's an excellent story for any child and it delivers a message I think all children would come to appreciate. Simply said, this is one of my all time favourite children's books. Plus, come on, he's so darn adorable you just want to cuddled him and say 'it's alright'. At least I do! This has been a review done by Daniélle on the 11th of May 2015. Until the next book!

[MB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book in preschool and it’s such a sweet, adorable story that teaches about why God gives us a reason not to worry all the time. It’s definitely a message that we don’t hear as young children much, and I think this book does a perfect job of delivering it ❤️

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, simple storyline and pictures. Valuable lesson on worry/anxiety vs. casting all your cares on Him for He careth for you.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Very Worried Sparrow is a picture book for small children. In the story, the very worried sparrow is continually worried and intimidated about its world and about growing up. The very worried sparrow learns of the Great Father who made the world and everything in it. That the Great Father cares for him and he didn't have to worry about things in this life. It is abook that tries to show young children that God is in control and they don't have to worry about life and all the new experiences or bad things that can happen. I like the fact that it has a Christian theme and might be a good book for small children who are struggling with new things; going to preschool, potty training, sleeping in their own bed, etc.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/09: This is just the cutest little book. In a "take" on Jesus' Gospel admonitions against worrying, Meryl Doney has written this parallel with an actual sparrow who worries about... everything. He misses much joy in life even though things always seem to work out. Finally, just before his five babies hatch, he learns to embrace life and go from "Meep, Meep, Oh Dear!" to "Cheep, Cheep, Hooray!"

Amazon Book Description:
"There was once a Very Worried Sparrow. All the other birds looked up at the bright blue sky and sang for joy. But the Very Worried Sparrow hung his head..."
He worried about finding food, learning to fly, what would happen in winter, even finding a mate and building a nest. Then one day he made a discovery which changed his whole life.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There was once a Very Worried Sparrow. All the other birds looked up at the bright blue sky and sang for joy. But the Very Worried Sparrow hung his head..."

He worried about finding food, learning to fly, what would happen in winter, even finding a mate and building a nest. Then one day he made a discovery which changed his whole life.

This is just the cutest little book. In a "take" on Jesus' Gospel admonitions against worrying, Meryl Doney has written this parallel with an actual sparrow who worries about... everything. He misses much joy in life even though things always seem to work out. Finally, just before his five babies hatch, he learns to embrace life and go from "Meep, Meep, Oh Dear!" to "Cheep, Cheep, Hooray!"

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little long for a board book but very good. Read it to my daughter when I am feeling worried. She loves the flow of the words as well as the illustrations.