Greenman
Lloyd S. Wagner
(Reviewer - Rebecca Brown)
2005 iUniverse
ISBN: 0595359043

In England Tyler, Paige & Tommy learn about practical jokes & Celtic culture.

If you haven't yet met the Oliver family in their first adventure El Chupacabras Trail of the Goatsucker which takes place in tropical Belize while they were on vacation, then you're in for a fine read. & I do urge you to pick up El Chupacabras too!

Greenman is a figure familiar to us all. One of the Celtic gods, some say he can still be found deep in the English woods.

Arriving in Sutton Benger, a little village with centuries -- even millennia -- of history, the Olivers witness a curious community custom of throwing a man all decked out in green, off their bridge into the river. Milling around in the happy crowd, they soon meet up with their host with whom Judy, their mother, is going to study some things at the old church.

Happily settled into the village's one & only inn, the Oliver children set about getting to know the people, & getting into some strange & awkward troubles.

Lloyd Wagner writes a lively tale about being strangers in a strange land, about ancient churches & old customs well mixed with modernday views of how other people celebrate & play. & if you've ever wondered why the British drive on the “wrong” side of the road, well, that's answered too!

Greenman is for young readers with open minds who want to see a little of the world without leaving their favorite reading nook.

Very well done with neat drawings by Natalie Hoffner.
(02/12/06)

Rebecca