Raymond's Raindance

Description

92 pages
$8.95
ISBN 0-9681960-0-4
DDC jC813'.54

Publisher

Year

1997

Contributor

Illustrations by Roy Peterson
Reviewed by Steve Pitt

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Review

Having rheumatic fever is not as much fun as young Matthew originally
hoped it would be. When he first heard that he was getting out of school
six weeks early, Matthew envisioned an extended summer holiday. Instead,
he is confined to bed with nothing to do except read or watch the birds
jostle for seeds at the new feeder his parents set up outside his
bedroom window. As boredom sets in, Matthew almost wishes he were back
at school.

And then Raymond appears on the scene. Raymond is a tiny, nondescript
bird who turns out to possess some very amazing powers. The little
featherweight is a self-taught reader, a fan of Greek philosophy, and no
slouch on the dance floor. Life becomes much more interesting for
Matthew and his family as Raymond takes over their household.

Harrill Bjornson, a retired journalist, makes his own rules with this
first book. There is no dominant character (Matthew shares the spotlight
with several personalities of various species), and there are subthemes
that do not have a direct bearing on the main plot. The writing is
intelligent and highly amusing. The illustrations by Roy Peterson, an
award-winning editorial cartoonist, are first-rate. The layout and cover
are gorgeous. This is likely the small-press all-star of the year.
Highly recommended.

Citation

Bjornson, Harrill., “Raymond's Raindance,” Canadian Book Review Annual Online, accessed June 29, 2025, https://cbra.library.utoronto.ca/items/show/19000.