Fat Caterpillars

Terry's Garden #1

by Jill Penrod, Lydia J. Underwood (Illustrator)

I should have known, when I was eight and had triplet sisters, a crazy old neighbor in a big, spooky house, and a wild red-haired girl as a best friend, that my childhood might be less than normal.

It started with Bud, the old man next door. He introduced me to gardening, showed me how to be a gentleman, and talked about God. Then came Molly, the girl. Yes, say it with The Girl. She brought me to life, called forth my inner hero, and occasionally crushed my soul. Nobody in the world could mess with my heart like Molly.

And family, the final prong of my adolescence. Sisters and more sisters. A birth injury that made my mother—and everyone else—keep a distance, and a whole lot of angst. They drove me to garden during most daylight hours, because dirt and plants were quiet and calm, and nothing else around me was either.

Time passed. I didn’t realize I’d become the glue in my relationships, the knight to slay everyone’s dragons, and the sounding board for their problems. I only knew I was the one person they forgot to see when they went through hardships. When they went down, I dragged them back to the surface. If I went down, I figured nobody would notice.

I sure never suspected that, if I went down, I could take the whole lot of them with me.

Terry’s Garden, stories about a huge family, an enchanting garden, and a love story that touches generations. Christian coming-of-age/romance novels for teens and anyone who remembers what it’s like to take those first wobbling steps into adulthood.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2016

Reviews

[Sheila Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing a really HEAVY novel that exhausted me emotionally, I saw this novel and thought that by its cover and title it would be a light, "fluffy" read, which is exactly what I was looking for. Little did I know that it would be a tear-jerking story that sucked me in and never released me until I completed it.

I realize that the appeal of story lines is strictly a personal thing, but this story so moved me. I rejoiced when the main characters rejoiced. I agonized when they agonized. And, I was so thrilled that the book left me feeling inspired in my faith, not depleted, like many books these days can.

I so completely recommend this novel, to the point that I feel it is a reader's loss if they don't experience it.

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit, I was a little skeptical reading this because the title was Fat Caterpillars. I mean, it kinda sounds like the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. But oh my goodness, this book it literally life changing. I mean, look, you want a cute fluffy fun read? That’s not what this is. You want get in touch with your emotions? This is literally the book to do it with. You feel for the characters so much, that you can’t but help to cry when they go through the trials in there life. I cannot tell you how many times I cried because 1 the amount I cried is embarrassing, and 2 I lost count. I reread this book all the time, and I still cry. I mean if it were possible I would give it 6 stars cause that is how good it is.

Here’s my synopsis: Terry, and eight year old boy, wanted a dog for his birthday. Instead his parent had a set of girl triplets, and they moved. Terry was hoping to find a boy his age in the neighborhood, but God knew what he needed and he found an old man. The old man, Bud, is what you will soon call him, teaches Terry about the word of God. And soon a little girl Terry’s age moved into the neighborhood, Molly. Terry isn’t too thrilled with her since she is a couple months older than him, but they then become best friends. They grow strong in faith and grow strong bonds to each other. But soon they come face to face with trials, trials that change everything. Will Terry’s and Molly’s faith be able to endure the challenges? Will there friendship survive? This book is heart breaking, but wonderful at the same time. You’ll laugh, cry, and smile in all the right places. So BUY FAT CATERPILLARS. I’m serious. If you don’t, you’ll regret it because the experience you have with this book is incredible. Props to Jill Penrod for writing so good.

[M. Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fat Caterpillars knocked my socks off with its rich meaning and beautiful storytelling. I instantly loved the premise - the lonely boy befriends the old man next door and they develop an honorary grandfather/grandson relationship. Soon a girl, Molly, shows up, and as the trio tends the garden and their souls, their unexpected friendship becomes the strongest bond in town, and when Bud's widowed sister needs to move in with him, their group of four has enviable fun and conversation. The book spans about 15 years, and I enjoyed the pacing. Gus and Molly become teenagers, and their friendship goes through highs and some serious lows described as "fat caterpillar on a big, comfortable leaf times" and "painful cocoon shedding times". Through it all, Bud is the most dependable person in their lives. Throughout the book is a strong Christian element that comes out in natural dialogue and narration. As the characters grow, they face some pretty tough events, and Bud is always there to be their sounding board and advisor. Some of the weighty life events that this book handles realistically and gently include divorce, abortion and the grief and forgiveness that go with it, rape and the long road to healing after that including finding out the hard way who true friends are, difficult family dynamics, and death of a loved one. Because of the weighty topics (which are detailed, but not graphically), I recommend this book for mature teens and adults. This is definitely a book with a lasting impression. With a similar vibe as "Because of Winn Dixie" and "October Baby," the lessons and characters are definitely sticking with me, and I look forward to continuing the series.

[Priscilla King · Rating 4 out of 5]

First chronologically, though not written first, in a series is this story of how a little boy grew up to be the wise grandfatherly gardener who helps all the younger people through their hard times. He had hard times of his own, of course. His younger siblings were born as triplets. He learned as a kid that he'd started out as one of triplets, too, and lost the other two in a gruesome medical accident. He had a partial disability even as a kid, felt isolated, bonded with a sensitive girl friend, then suffered along with her when she was molested.

Young Terry found comfort in the idea that peaceful times in our lives are like the parts of caterpillars' lives when the animals are bulking up, filling up their current skins, before they have to morph into new skins. I don't know about you but that kind of bromides affect me as if I'd swallowed a brood of live caterpillars. It's easy to pass over, though, because Terry's long life and his relationships with younger people make a good story.

[Rachelle Bachiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow what else can I say about this book. I cried so much and laughed and was sad while reading what people went through as they faced challenges. God brings people together for His purpose and regardless what you go through He chooses each one so that you grow in your faith. Easy to say and yet very difficult at times when you have chosen to do things differently. He knows who to bring along your side to teach you, to get you ready for the hard times, and to get you to see Him in each circumstance. I would recommend this to everyone and don't forget the tissues. I will be reading this book again this year that's how fantastic it is. Great writing Jill.

[Marilyn Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the life of a little boy and a little girl. An old man befriends them. And oh the real adventures begin as he loves and teaches them about gardening and God. I cried a lot. Some stories are so precious that they are hard to tell. I loved this story and so will you

[D'anah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well written story about growing up and the paradigm shifts that catapult the characters into deeper maturity and purpose. It touched me at a deeper level than just a good read.

[C.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two teens battle the trials of growing up and the tragedies life throws their way, with the help of an eccentric older man and his powerful faith. It is a garden that will bring them together, and a love that will shape lives generations beyond these two young people.
Fat Caterpillars deals with some very difficult subject matter. Though written pretty cleanly, it is probably best suited for older teens. This story is beauty is happiness mixed with deep tragedies and challenges, but the ending is a happy one and a testament to the power of faith.