Boris Badger: Boris Learns a Lesson

by Michael E. McDevitt, Olga S Tenyakova (Illustrator)

Boris Badger and Raven share an adventure and learn a lesson.

35 pages, Paperback

Published January 22, 2019

About the author

Full-time grandpa, part-time author and self-publisher. Retired US Navy Officer and Operations Analyst. I started writing children's picture books and publishing as an act of love for my six grandchildren. My goal is to create a series of books that grow along with my grands as they move through elementary school. Boris Badger stars in his second book: Boris Badger 2: Boris Goes to the Market. (Dec 2019) The second edition of Book 2 is out now - Fully illustrated by Olga. (Dec 2022)

I am a veteran, as well as a cancer & heart attack survivor. I love to read science fiction and fantasy: CJ Cherryh is my favorite living author; Roger Zelazny and Robert A. Heinlein are also classical Scifi favorites from my youth.

Reviews

[Keep Calm Novel On · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author via Booktasters provided a copy of the eBook in exchange for an honest review.

Boris Badger: Boris Learns a Lesson by Michael E. McDevitt and brilliantly illustrated by Olga Tenyakova is a wonderful read with a powerful message. This well-written story is about friendship and lessons learned. The Illustrations are perfect and work seamlessly with the dialogue. It is a perfect read-aloud picture book that lends itself for reflection and discussion. The author clearly knows and understands his audience. Boris Badger does not disappoint.

[Atypical_bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently realized I've been reading too many children's books for someone my age, but I'm still not sure how to review them! One thing is for sure: not all kiddo literature is good. Just like not all is boring.

So I'll review this one on basic features which I feel anything meant for kids should possess.

The first one is ease. This book scores full marks on that aspect. I've seen too many children authors trying too hard, like they're writing for some alien species! Then there are some who take the kids for granted and end up writing bad stories.
I like how this book flows easily. I imagined I'm a kid while reading it, and the kid in me would totally put it in the"good books" stash.

The second is pictures; which is the first thing kids look for in story books. The illustrations in here are pretty awesome--vivid and lively.

The third is the story. This book has two: it has a story within a story! And it is not even confusing with too many twists or anything. The stories are moral based, depicting friendship, honestly, appreciation of hard work, and many more life lessons.

What's more? The characters are adorable. The stories are fresh. Did I mention how cool the pictures are! I personally think the kids are gonna love it! Well, I did...

[Iman Mahmoud · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Boris Badger" is a beautiful book that subtly teaches children to be humble and admit mistakes. I loved Raven's story within the actual one and I would have liked to read others where Raven is the star of every story. The part where Boris acknowledged Raven's help, and that without him he would be able to get Jack birthday gift is a wonderful lesson for children to learn. The characters are lovable and children could relate to.
The illustrations are really beautiful, and they are what drew me to the book in the first place. It's an amazing book that children and adults alike will enjoy.

[CinderBelle615 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through Booktasters, the author provided me with a PDF copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.

Pro:
1. The illustrations are beautiful
2. I loved the story within a story motif
3. I liked Badger's humility to accept his wrong doings, I think that it teaches a very important lesson to kids (especially those prone to be a bit rebellious) about humility; and Raven's humility, despite the fact that it was Badger's fault he got punished, he didn't get argumentative about it and just accepted blame along side badger.

Con:
I'm just a little sad that the story wasn't longer; it had great potential to be much longer.

And I really enjoyed the Raven's story, so I wished that the author (the Raven) would have expanded on that just a little bit more.

[NathanC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book for young children. The illustrations are very well done and kid friendly. All of the characters look cute and likeable. Even the Raven, a bird that usually has dark connotations in fiction, looks very friendly and cute.

The story is also easy to follow with very simple prose. All of the characters are friendly and have good interactions with each other. There is also a very nice message in the end; despite how Raven and Badger sneaked in to steal the Grandmother's apples, the Grandmother is very friendly to them and is willing to let them have some apples, if they clean up the mess they made. This is a very nice message for young children, as it shows them that even if they make mistakes, so long as they apologize and try to sincerely make up for them - like Raven and Badger did - everything will work out.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a great book for kids, this is it! The illustrations are well done, and the story does not disappoint!

Boris Badger wants to get a gift for his friend, but he is not sure what to give him. After deciding what to do, he asks his friend Raven for help. Before this adventure, Raven shares a story with Badger, so that he can sleep after a long night of gathering food, which he shares with Raven.
In the process of getting the gift for their friend donkey, they are caught by the woman who owns the home. Will they get to keep the apples for their friend?

Absolutely loved this little book! A great read for kids who are learning to read, or a fun read aloud for a bedtime story!

[Walker Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael McDevitt and Olga Tenyakova have created a wonderful book sure to delight. It is a perfect length for children's time at church or a bedtime story for the kids. The illustrations bring the story to life. Each page is filled with enough details to ensure a surprise at every reading. Life lessons are taught as an inherent element of the plot adding charm and warmth to an engaging story. Reminds us of our favorite children books like Winnie the Pooh and animal fables where humans play a part. The illustrations by Olga Tenyakova creates a mood of harmony with the natural world bringing a lively, cheerful and engaging enjoyment for both the reader and audience.

[Maria Rivas-mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boris Badger’ is a story that is meant to be read aloud. I can just hear Raven’s slurp as he gets down into the meal that his friend, Boris, has provided!
Adding to the story are Olga Tenyakova’s lovely illustrations where we see the main characters on stage while a supporting cast of flowers, butterflies, a little blue bird and even a cat are part of the action.
Michael McDevitt, this full-time grandfather and part-time author, gently teaches about caring for others, about responsibility, accountability and, through Raven’s bedtime story, love and loss. I’m looking forward to the next adventure!

[Robin Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story in Boris Learns a Lesson.

I can see this being told to help children to learn lessons especially with "Maybe I should've asked, first?" Actually, that is a lesson that many adults should learn as well.

The book is wonderful and the illustrations of Boris and his friends is a delight. Very colorful and vibrant. This book has it all in every aspect.

I am going to buy a hard cover copy to keep at my desk.

I truly enjoyed the story.

Thank you to the author for an Ecopy of the book and to BookTasters for the opportunity to read this story in return for an honest review.

[His Wife7474 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book! I've been teaching preK for nearly 20 years. And each year it gets harder and harder to find books with a story that develops and flows. Nothing against Pete the Cat.... but there are no stories there lol. Boris Badger is beautifully illustrated. It has likable characters. It presents situations that can be expanded on and discussed at circle time. What I love most is that there is a story within the story!

My kiddos had a blast listening to it. They thought Raven was especially funny. "Caw" became the word of the day lol. The only thing that would make this book better is if it came with plush animals :).

[Bianca Sy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The distinctions between the characters are clear; I thought something scary and sad would happen like the intensity of betrayal since the friend of Boris is one of the smartest living things on Earth. However, I am glad my assumptions did not appear as it added to the quality of the story.

Furthermore, the illustrations are remarkably good—it helped me relax, and enjoy the book even more. Kids will surely learn a lot from this as the story is a great topic to talk about after reading the book.

I would recommend this to anyone and hope the story will soothe you in whatever mood you are in as it did to me.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I waited until nap time for my kids. This story is too cute and sweet. The stories shows the characters sharing, caring, taking responsibility for their actions and also showing kids that kids can work hard to get what they want. My two little ones enjoyed it! Plus the art definitely worth the five stars!!!

[Angelica Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was delightful and well thought out. Boris Badger: Boris Learns a Lesson intertwines lessons about caring, friendship, and responsibility with lovable and unforgettable characters. The story within in a story was a pleasant surprise. In addition, the illustrations are beautiful and bring the characters to life. This book would be a beautiful addition to any library collection.

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boris the Badger is a beautiful children’s book. Boris & Raven subtly teach a child valuable lessons while remaining highly entertaining. I especially love the story within the story of how the raven’s feathers turned black. The illustrations are gorgeous.

You can tell this book was written with love.

[Pallabi Sarkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boris Badger is a short story book for children rather this is a well illustrated, kid friendly bed time story book. The story within the story was a pleasant surprise. The book has a good lesson to learn for children about friendship, sharing, helping each other.
Young children as well as adults will really enjoy this book very much.
Drawings of various characters are well elucidated and this book surely deserves 5 stars.
I've received a free copy of this book in exchange of my honest review and I absolutely love the book.

[SmolSaknussemm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is perfect to read aloud to children as a bedtime story, and easy to follow as kids read along. The illustrations are amazingly done too!

[Sindy Castellanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story beautifully illustrated, which suggests virtues that can help children make better decisions in their daily lives.
_______
Linda historia bellamente ilustrada, que sugiere varias virtudes que pueden ayudar a los niños a tomar mejores decisiones en su vida cotidiana.

[The Picky Readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated children's book about a delightful story of a Badger that learns a lesson in asking. There's also an Aesopesque story within a story as the author tells us the tale of why the Raven is black. There is more than one lesson to be learned inside this book that children of all ages will enjoy. There seem to be a few words written in Russian (I think) which isn't explained but it doesn't stop the reading flow of this charming book.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number of stars 5 out of 5

This book is very cute and very sweet. I love the beautiful drawings this story is about friendship, sharing, and a cute little adventure for two friends. Boris is a badger who worked all night to pick up food for himself. But a raven see a bag from the badger and asked him what's in the bag. Boris told the raven that it's he's food and the raven asked for some.

Boris share he's food with the raven and he asked two favourites to the raven one a bed time story and two he's help for a birthday present for a friend Jack the donkey.

This book is great for little children to learn about friendship, sharing, not the steal from people with out getting into trouble, helping each other and believe into themselves.

I do think that your young children and yourself will really enjoy this book very much. This is a must pick up book.

[Patricia Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boris Badger has detailed illustrations to go along with the fantastic story. I decided to read this book to my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter. The story places an emphasis on sharing and it's a difficult concept for some children at any age. She was able to identify with all the characters and storyline. Some of the other things that are covered in the story besides sharing is being helpful to others, honesty and doing nice thing for others. My granddaughter asks me to read this over and over. This is well worth the read for children of all ages.

[Mariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. Such lovely characters and great illustrations. The tale gives the reader a reminder to do good deeds and the power of friendship. I would love to read more about Boris and its adventures.

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest book. It tells a story that children and adults need to learn. Things are easier if our friends help. It is an easy read and the illustrations are very well done. This would be a good classroom book.

[Michael McDevitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

"That's a good book" - says Matan my 4yo Grandson.

[Pam Dance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book suitable for younger children. I love the way two stories are intertwined. The language choices are challenging enough and the good sprinkling of adverbials creates a fluent short story. This book would be ideal for the classroom with many possibilites and there is a good moral or two to discuss. I would definitely buy this book for my friends with young children and I will be recommending it to my fellow teachers lower down school.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cute story of Boris Badger and his friend, Raven, who learn that nothing in life is free. Boris has Raven help him get a gift for Jack the donkey. They plan to steal apples from an old woman, and they are caught.

Illustrations are well done, but not sure why the illustration on page 3 and 4 were the same. There are some punctuation and capitalization errors, but the story was good with a good message for children.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a children's story with nice illustrations and cute characters. There is a myth story about how the raven became black in it as well as morals about asking permission and acknowledging the help you get from friends.

I read the book on Kindle Unlimited after it was suggested on a list by Booktasters.

[Heni Mujaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be a great choice for read aloud and bed time reading. The plot is simple and easily understood for children. The moral values aint disappoint me, too: to admit one's mistake and be responsible for the consequence of one's action, friendship, etc. The illustration is a cute cherry on top of this book. 💐