Kindle Edition Amazon My Fantasy Books amazon.com Category:  Children Publisher: Create Space ISBN-10:  1492733938 Type: Fiction Pages: 104 Copyright: July 2012 ISBN-13: 9781492733935 Price: $3.99 (eBook) A Magical and Inspiring Story Book Series delivers heartwarming stories of family relationship and friendship. Anyone who wants a great bedtime story to read to their kids must read this inspiring journey of unconditional love and that true beauty is within us. Theo and Mary are loving couple, but their disfigured faces make them the subject of daily ridicule in their small town and are eventually driven away. Forced to leave the only home they have ever known, they take their belongings deep into the forest where they find an enchanting and magical world of beauty and happiness. They build a new home and have a son, whom they name Ray. They soon discover that Ray possesses special gifts; he can heal the sick, speak with the elements and animals, can climb trees like a monkey, swim like a fish and even fly like a bird. Although Ray's powers are strange, his parents love him the same as any other parents would love their son. Ray uses his magical abilities to teach the townspeople the true meaning of unconditional love and Ray's family is warmly welcomed back into the community.        Excerpt Meanwhile, the townspeople made a campfire in front of Theo and Mary’s tiny shack, and they even brought food and drinks as if it was some kind of a celebration. They sat around the campfire, roasted some marshmallows, and told spooky stories while the children held hands to sing, and they even danced in circle around them. Then the townspeople anxiously waited for Theo and Mary’s return. But as the night progressed, many soon grew bored and went home. A few people stayed behind and decided to wait. And they waited. But after waiting for what seemed like forever, they got tired and finally decided to get a good night’s rest. They all agreed to return first thing in the morning to demolish Theo and Mary’s tiny house, and they would do it even without any consent or permission from anyone. Everyone laughed and they all left leaving garbage everywhere. Theo and Mary, who were still hiding in the bushes, heard everything the people had said. They sat patiently in the dark and waited for everyone to leave and, as soon as they were gone, they quickly went to their house and packed a few of their things. They quietly pushed the wooden cart and they didn’t stop walking until they disappeared in the darkness. No words were spoken until Mary took one final look at the town and the life they were leaving behind. She let out a frustrated sigh and then she asked her husband if he knew where they were going. Theo paused and sadness crept across his face. He shook his head in desperation not knowing what lay ahead. For the first time in his life, he was frightened!

Amazon.com by Lynn Horton
A Beautiful and Charming Children's Book
By Lynn Worton on September 18, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition

I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This is a fantastic children's book, that takes the reader through a boat load of emotions.

Theo is a wonderful character. He has a loving heart, but he has a disfigurement that people don't try to see behind. He has suffered a lot in his life, but with his wife, he is determined to find peace.

Mary also suffers with a disfigurement, but she is more fragile emotionally than her husband. She too has a warm and loving heart, but living in a village that only looks at the surface rather than the person underneath, takes it's toll.

Ray is their child. He is a special boy. He seems wiser than his age, and has made friends with the wind, water, fire and earth.

As I started reading this story, I found myself wanting to shake the villagers out of their shallowness. Just because someone looks different, there is no need to call them names or be cruel. Having been on the end of taunts as a child, I know that name calling can be extremely hurtful. I fell in love with the characters as they struggled with the unjust behaviour of the villagers. Theo and Mary are great believers in strong family values like respect, love, being kind to others and listening when needed.
Ray is a sweet boy who captured my heart! His bravery is exceptional. Mind you, children very rarely think about danger; they just plough on ahead and do it. I think that we adults tend to over-analyse things, and see dangers bigger than they actually are. Ray sees a problem and tries to fix it, no matter what.

Marissa Marchan has written a book that not only entertains, but is very inspirational to children. It also teaches the importance of family and kindness and tolerance towards others.

BaumanBookReviews
Beautiful Story
By BaumanBookReviews on September 9, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition

A Boy Named ray is a story about Ray, of course, and his parents Theo and Mary.
The beginning of the story is a perfect set up for tone and flow of the story. It sheds background light on Theo and Mary's lives together and apart. From the start, I thought that the story would be one filled with sadness. Once the story picked up however, it took on a different tone. It became happy.

After many years of wanting; Theo and Mary are blessed with a son. What they don't know at first is that Ray is a gifted child. They were afraid that because they are disfigured, that their child would be as well. But, that wasn't the case. Instead, he was an angel. A true gift from God.

A Boy Named Ray teaches you to never judge someone by how they appear on the outside. They could be the most disturbing looking person, but have the kindest heart and be the most loyal person you will know. This ideal is often lost in our world and people are judged based upon their appearance every day.

This story also teaches us that we should really value our family. They are the ones who will help you and guide you through the rough times in life. You have to accept that they may not always be perfect. But they love you and want you to be happy. Life is complicated. But, if you can set issues aside, your family will be there for you the majority of the time.

A Boy Named Ray was a very nice story, and I really enjoyed it. I didn't expect to finish it in one day - even though it's pretty short, but I did.


EponaReviews.blogspot.co./uk
I am at a loss for words with this novel. This short review does not mean that there is nothing to say it’s just that I can’t really explain it without down-grading it.

This novel was heart-warming from the start. My heart was being tugged towards the characters, reaching out to try and comfort them.

Theo and Mary are disfigured. They are subject to ridicule on a daily basis in their own home town. This horrific reality of the lack of respect towards people, especially those suffering, is easy to pass with a blind eye in today’s society, but not in this novel.

Morals are entangled within this story, along with serious issues but also with the tale of a young child who flourished from a neglected couple like the poppies on the war field.

Surrounded by negativity and ridicule, due to his parents, Ray is born with remarkable qualities that only a pure soul could possess and that we can all but wish for.

This novel was heart-warming and is certainly worth the short read.