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Johnny and the Seven Teddy Bears of Sin
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 10, 2014
I started reading this book more than a two years ago. I began reading it because I was part of an online community for which the author posted a link to this book, telling us it was free for a few days and he'd love if we could read and review it for him. Well clearly I failed at that, since I let time get away from me. But today I started where I'd left off (54%) and finished it up.
I have to say I'm impressed with the author's ability to rhyme a story this lengthy without sacrificing meaning. That said, often the rhyme scheme was a bit wobbly, and some of the rhymes were definitely forced. Each time I would get into a good rhythm, I would trip over an extra syllable or a word that wasn't quite right.
I'm leaving it at 3 stars because of the wonky rhyming and meter. But I want to stress that this story really is wonderfully creative and I did enjoy it. The main character, Johnny, is a small boy whose best friend and loyal stuffed bear, Gladly, accompanies him on adventures to face off with some very mean bears who wish to do him harm.
Reading this story to children will introduce them to the seven deadly sins, and also provides life lessons in honesty, trust, respect, and love. It's a very cute story about family and friends that gets very dark at times. This is also an appropriate read for those of us who are older, as well. Everyone can appreciate a good story of childhood innocence triumphing over darkness.
I have to say I'm impressed with the author's ability to rhyme a story this lengthy without sacrificing meaning. That said, often the rhyme scheme was a bit wobbly, and some of the rhymes were definitely forced. Each time I would get into a good rhythm, I would trip over an extra syllable or a word that wasn't quite right.
I'm leaving it at 3 stars because of the wonky rhyming and meter. But I want to stress that this story really is wonderfully creative and I did enjoy it. The main character, Johnny, is a small boy whose best friend and loyal stuffed bear, Gladly, accompanies him on adventures to face off with some very mean bears who wish to do him harm.
Reading this story to children will introduce them to the seven deadly sins, and also provides life lessons in honesty, trust, respect, and love. It's a very cute story about family and friends that gets very dark at times. This is also an appropriate read for those of us who are older, as well. Everyone can appreciate a good story of childhood innocence triumphing over darkness.
March 14, 2014
A Thoroughly Charming Read!
Johnny’s Grandpa, gnarled and stern, sat hunched upon the stair.
Johnny sat upon his knee and clutched his teddy bear,
And quietly searched for mousetraps in his Grandpa’s greying hair,
Which, moss-like, curled around them both and down the banister.
The Seven Teddy Bears of Sin is a novella-length story in verse about young Johnny’s adventures as he vanquishes seven teddy bears, each representing one of the seven deadly sins. It starts with Grandpa’s warning about these “dark and toothsome” bears who reside up in his cluttered attic. Johnny, with the support of his faithful companion, a well-worn bear named Gladly, vows to defeat them all.
The story is delightful, full of childlike charm, told from the perspective of young Johnny with plenty of humor, fright, and tenderness. Each challenge unfolds as a chapter and takes place within the context of a child’s life, with ordinary temptations, a moral struggle, and heroic resolution.
All secondary characters are colorful, adding to Venn’s already rich verse, replete with clever rhymes and quirky details. The flavor of the tale is reminiscent of Dickens or Moore (‘Twas the Night before Christmas) and definitely benefits from being read aloud, especially by someone with a flair for the dramatic! I found myself wanting illustrations as well. A fun, quick read, I recommend this book for all ages.
Johnny’s Grandpa, gnarled and stern, sat hunched upon the stair.
Johnny sat upon his knee and clutched his teddy bear,
And quietly searched for mousetraps in his Grandpa’s greying hair,
Which, moss-like, curled around them both and down the banister.
The Seven Teddy Bears of Sin is a novella-length story in verse about young Johnny’s adventures as he vanquishes seven teddy bears, each representing one of the seven deadly sins. It starts with Grandpa’s warning about these “dark and toothsome” bears who reside up in his cluttered attic. Johnny, with the support of his faithful companion, a well-worn bear named Gladly, vows to defeat them all.
The story is delightful, full of childlike charm, told from the perspective of young Johnny with plenty of humor, fright, and tenderness. Each challenge unfolds as a chapter and takes place within the context of a child’s life, with ordinary temptations, a moral struggle, and heroic resolution.
All secondary characters are colorful, adding to Venn’s already rich verse, replete with clever rhymes and quirky details. The flavor of the tale is reminiscent of Dickens or Moore (‘Twas the Night before Christmas) and definitely benefits from being read aloud, especially by someone with a flair for the dramatic! I found myself wanting illustrations as well. A fun, quick read, I recommend this book for all ages.
October 25, 2013
Synopsis (taken from Amazon): "Johnny Meryevan has been left in his elderly grandfather's household in Victorian London. To terrify the little boy into quiet behavior, his grandfather warns Johnny about the Seven Teddy Bears of Sin. His plan backfires. Johnny sets out to defeat these terrifying monsters, and the teddy bears are only too pleased to take up the challenge.
The results? A comic romp through the serious business of childhood: governesses, cakes, cabs, toast, tea, goldfish, nutcrackers, attics, bordellos, bears and temptations abounding.
The definitive update of medieval morality verse."
My Review: This was a pretty clever story. The verse and rhythm remain throughout the story and doesn't get lost. A little comedy mixed in with the verse and the warnings of the Sins. The war Johnny and his bear Gladly wage against the seven bears of sin is a battle everyone faces through out their lives. I really enjoyed the ending where it is left open, that the war is never won and the sins are always waiting to take you hostage. I found it to be a very well thought out story and one that I really enjoyed.
The results? A comic romp through the serious business of childhood: governesses, cakes, cabs, toast, tea, goldfish, nutcrackers, attics, bordellos, bears and temptations abounding.
The definitive update of medieval morality verse."
My Review: This was a pretty clever story. The verse and rhythm remain throughout the story and doesn't get lost. A little comedy mixed in with the verse and the warnings of the Sins. The war Johnny and his bear Gladly wage against the seven bears of sin is a battle everyone faces through out their lives. I really enjoyed the ending where it is left open, that the war is never won and the sins are always waiting to take you hostage. I found it to be a very well thought out story and one that I really enjoyed.
March 2, 2016
I should have stopped reading this book when Johnny jumped onto the Lust bear's back with measles and rode to the Georgian mansion where "grown men come to play". It's an experience that leaves him horror-stricken. Fortunately, the women there don't believe in "underage debauch", and the men take pity on him when he tears up. They call a cab and send him home.
I had to continue to read the book (why?), and let this creepy chapter be outdone by another disturbing one where Grandpa receives a distressing letter, which leads him and the family members to ignore and starve Johnny for days. Johnny eventually conjectures that his father died, and fights the sin of Sloth, and takes proactive steps to console his grandpa!
The book feels like it was written for children but went very wrong somewhere. Imagine reverse-PeterPan with a vulnerable child in a world of disturbing adults and creepy, sinful stuffed-bears. I can't imagine why he needs to learn any of the lessons he learnt, especially in the way he did! 'Twisted' doesn't begin to describe this book.
I had to continue to read the book (why?), and let this creepy chapter be outdone by another disturbing one where Grandpa receives a distressing letter, which leads him and the family members to ignore and starve Johnny for days. Johnny eventually conjectures that his father died, and fights the sin of Sloth, and takes proactive steps to console his grandpa!
The book feels like it was written for children but went very wrong somewhere. Imagine reverse-PeterPan with a vulnerable child in a world of disturbing adults and creepy, sinful stuffed-bears. I can't imagine why he needs to learn any of the lessons he learnt, especially in the way he did! 'Twisted' doesn't begin to describe this book.
August 26, 2012
I'll admit that I've never read a story in verse before, so this was something totally new for me. Also, I am a poet and I'm normally not fond of rhyming verse. HOWEVER - James Venn's poetry was written well. It wasn't forced, and it told the story beautifully. I commend him on this undertaking - it's tough to write rhyme without having a constraint of a story, and making it sound natural and logical besides. Brilliant.
Also, I enjoyed the story very much. I found myself eagerly turning the pages (or, swipes of my finger, as this was an electronic copy) while work was slow just to find out how it all ends.
All in all, a great story and great poetry.
Also, I enjoyed the story very much. I found myself eagerly turning the pages (or, swipes of my finger, as this was an electronic copy) while work was slow just to find out how it all ends.
All in all, a great story and great poetry.
February 21, 2013
"Johnny and the Seven Teddy Bears of Sin" by James Venn was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was reluctant because it is written in rhyme and because of its Christian theme.
However, the rhyming is very well done and accessible and lends the story a warm and lovely character.
The theme of the seven deadly sins was also done in a very inoffensive way. Bar a mentioning of judgement in one of the last verses that sat rather uncomfortable with me the themes of pride, sloth, gluttony etc are universally relevant to all humans regardless of their religion, young and old.
However, the rhyming is very well done and accessible and lends the story a warm and lovely character.
The theme of the seven deadly sins was also done in a very inoffensive way. Bar a mentioning of judgement in one of the last verses that sat rather uncomfortable with me the themes of pride, sloth, gluttony etc are universally relevant to all humans regardless of their religion, young and old.
September 5, 2013
I was given a book for an honest review.
I really liked this book. It's a novella, so it doesn't take a really long time to read. It's well written and although I usually don't like the verse style of it. James made it work. The Christian theme isn't overwhelming, which I liked. Overall it's a really good book if you want a short read.
I really liked this book. It's a novella, so it doesn't take a really long time to read. It's well written and although I usually don't like the verse style of it. James made it work. The Christian theme isn't overwhelming, which I liked. Overall it's a really good book if you want a short read.
August 15, 2012
A comic work through the serious business of childhood: cakes, governesses, toast, tea, goldfish, nutcrackers, attics, bordellos, bears and temptations abounding.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews