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Ed, together with his wife Angela, lives in Westford, Massachusetts, surrounded by their two sons and grandchildren. With an impressive career spanning over forty years in retail management, Ed has always based his philosophy on kindness, respect, and the golden rule. Known for his dry sense of humor, he devoted a significant part of his professional life to being Santa's helper at a prominent toy store, creating joyful memories for two generations of children. Now, Ed is using the wisdom he has accumulated over the years and infusing it into his writings, particularly in his children's series, The Adventures of Filbert & Evie, and the Benchmark Legacy Series for parents. Through his stories, Ed aims to inspire others to make a positive impact and strive for a brighter future.
Reviewed by Diana Lopez for Readers' Favorite
Learning to act with kindness is essential for children to understand their feelings and those of others. This is necessary for strengthening friendships and overcoming obstacles, as shown in The Garden Encounter. EDD Jordan tells the story of Filbert the chipmunk who has a garden with tomato plants that he loves for their scent and flavor. One day, while picking tomatoes, he finds Evie the toad hiding among the plants. Evie tells him she is alone and afraid to come out because a praying mantis is chasing her. Filbert explains to his new friend that she can't stay hidden forever, and he agrees to help her solve her difficulty. And so they embark on a journey in search of a safe place in the woods as a new home for Evie.
I liked EDD Jordan's narrative style, especially his attention to detail in describing the characters' feelings and the details of the setting. He uses short, easy-to-understand sentences with a dynamic pace that keeps readers' attention. Both Filbert and Evie have well-defined personalities that children will be able to identify with. The plot is interesting and emphasizes several positive messages, such as the importance of friendship and altruism. Filbert is an excellent example to follow because of his charm and courage. In addition, the images are beautiful collages, which combine photographs of natural elements with real animals, creating a unique visual effect. The Garden Encounter will inspire young readers to appreciate nature and respect animals while also motivating them to develop empathy through its exciting narrative.
