BOOK REVIEWS
“Norton’s Tale is perfect for young readers — not over weighted with descriptive passages — the action is carried forward through interaction / dialogue between the characters. Dylan Weiss develops a sense of mystery for young readers that is sure to keep them turning the pages. Norton is about adventure, problem solving, and friendship.”
Ben Price
Education Director, Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), and pioneer of the international Rights of Nature movement | Author of How Wealth Rules the World, National Organizing Director for CELDF
“Sebastian’s Tale and Norton’s Tale, two of the three books in the Skunk Tales Trilogy series, are delightful and well-constructed allegorical fantasies. In Sebastian’s Tale, a stripeless skunk and his sidekick cousin, Willie the Weasel, begin a journey leading from ‘Pretendment’ to ‘Enlightenment.’ The paths they choose and the animals they meet expose them to numerous problems and solutions—bully to battle, decline to dementia, poison to pollution and corporate collusion—each threatening the very existence of the animals and their environment. Each problem, seemingly unique, eventually merge, giving Sebastian, his friends, and readers needed insight. With appeal to all ages, the fables tell a story of a society that will fascinate readers as they peel away the layers presented by Weiss and begin their own journey into enlightenment.”
Walter M. Brasch
Ph.D., author of Fracking America, Before the First Snow, and other books
“Both Sebastian’s Tale and Norton’s Tale are imaginative, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining stories of quests for enlightenment. Thanks to Weiss’s playful use of language, the books evoke memories of cartoons like Bullwinkle and the Pink Panther that our parents enjoyed as much as we did. Deftly woven into the story are difficult and important messages about the power of relationships and of society to see us through it all as we each make our own way toward enlightenment.”
Karen Feridun
Environmentalist and Founder, Berks Gas Truth
“Dylan’s inventiveness, verbal puns, and fast-moving plot with so much at stake keeps Sebastian’s Tale and Norton’s Tale exciting and entertaining for readers of all ages. The fables are rich in sensory detail and replete with LOL humor, melancholy, and fear. Of the many animal characters, my favorites were Willie because he loved to eat, Frick and Frack, and Beauregard. The relationship between Abigail and DJ was so real and so sad, yet Abigail’s courage, determination, and vulnerability came through in a way that will certainly resonate with adult audiences.”
Marat Moore
Author of Women in the Mines: Stories of Life and Work; labor historian, photographer, and advocate for workers’ rights.| Retired editor of the ASHA Leader.
“Weiss has written two clever allegories for all ages. I read them with my son, who is in elementary school and he loved them. I would say that Weiss’ style is Beatrix Potter meets Watership Down wherein the theme of coming of age is explored through the lives of woodland creatures. More subtly, Weiss explores the moral problems and implications of fossil fuel development as the Land Predators threaten the woods within which all the animals have their homes. These important moral lessons about nature and community were not lost on my son. The book begs the reader to reevaluate their worldview, place within the community, and relationship with nature. These whimsical stories could easily become part of a curriculum or a school reading list for Middle or High School students.”
Tara M Zrinski
Northampton County Executive, environmental advocate, educator, and former Northampton County Controller | Author/Illustrator
“If you are an adult, Dylan Weiss’ Sebastian’s Tale and Norton’s Tale are charming allegories with passionate pleas for a healthy future for all beings. If you are a younger child, this is a buddy adventure “peopled” with a variety of species going from one lesson to the next. If you are a teenager, you appreciate the idea of enlightenment and of being a part of a future crafted by heart and soul and intelligence. While the message is strong, the spirit is optimistic. There’s a “can-do” air about the characters. The story encourages collaboration, creative and critical thinking, and a moral obligation to the earth.”
Joyce Faulkner
Award winning author, editor, publisher, and principal, Red Engine Press
“What I loved most of all about the Skunk Tales Trilogy books is the possibility (and perhaps reality) of inter-species cooperation. We humans underestimate the potential for working WITH nature instead of AGAINST it. For me the most critical of Dylan’s themes is that all creatures and flora are being hurt by human activities which must be stopped if we are to leave a healthy environment for future generations.”
Iona Conner
Founder and Publisher, The Go-Back Club, A Simple-Living Brigade
“Sebastian’s Tale and Norton’s Tale are delightful stories told through an unexpected perspective, the eyes of animal characters. We live in a world today witnessing unparalleled environmental destruction and increased illness for which we hope to find cures. This creative, funny, yet educational, book will inspire the reader to get involved, help others promote good health, wellness for mankind and healing for Mother Earth.”
Maria Prascak
Artist and Founder of Maria’s Ideas
“The first two books in the Skunk Tales Trilogy are delightful, adventurous and truly original stories. Reading them, for me, was like experiencing a new world in which I savored moments exploring! Just thinking about them makes me smile! I am waiting for Dylan Weiss’s next book!!!”
Maia Kincaid
Ph.D., Founder, Animal Communication World and the Sedona International School for Animal & Nature Communication
“Norton’s Tale and Sebastian’s Tale are reminiscent of Palmer Cox’s The Brownies or Tove Jansson’s charming Moomintrolls books. The books are optimistic, and intended to inspire. Strong environmental sensibilities are expressed, and there are many humorous sections as well. Children will love these tales, and they’ll finish them with heightened respect for the planet.”
Anne Feeney
Folk/Blues Musician, Community Activist & Attorney
“In Skunk Tales Trilogy, there is a blending of how one person can make a difference when faced with a problem that affects us all. Told from the perspective of woodland animals, it entices and encourages all readers, to think about what we are doing to our planet.”
Dory Hippauf
Environmental advocate and Founder of the Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Milana Bizic
Special Education Teacher/Librarian
Traveling Our Road offers children a warm, age-appropriate introduction to Alzheimer’s disease. Through engaging animal characters and beautifully illustrated storytelling, it fosters understanding, empathy, and meaningful conversations about memory loss, love, and connection.
Rev Elizabeth Bansavage
Interfaith Minister
Dylan Weiss’s autobiography, Traveling our Road, is a magnificent addition to her Skunk Tale Trilogies. In her newest book, Dylan and her husband DJ struggle through illness, but they’re not alone – with the help of secret friends, all familiar animals from earlier stories, they find their way along life’s rockiest past. The author’s story and the artist’s illustrations are a reminder that pain is universal. I highly recommend Weiss’s book for anyone touched by love and loss.
Laura Kramer
Amazon Reader Review
A friend recommended to me this children’s book because of its sensitive story, beautiful illustrations, and usefulness for children learning ways of interacting with people who may be different, even a bit scary to them. Then I learned more about the book’s author and the reasons behind her late-in-life authoring of many children’s books: as caregiver to her husband for 18 years, she discovered a healing refuge in writing children’s books, creating characters that comforted her and would comfort children. When she discovered that her grandchildren were a bit afraid of their grandfather — the wonderful man she loved who had been adventurous and vital prior to his decline — she set about writing a book that they would enjoy while teaching them about who he had been and how to approach him in this phase of life. As caregiver to my husband during his several years of decline, the book took on profound importance to me. I’ve bought several copies and give them away to all those I love, to those whose own children and grandchildren will enjoy the story and illustrations, and to libraries. I highly recommend the book to children of all ages even those whose only child is deep within. Share with those you love!
PMH
Amazon Reader Review
This book is both important and delightful. Dylan’s background as a speech-language therapist, coupled with her personal experiences with her husband through Alzheimer’s, give her a special understanding of this journey. Her creativity in presenting the story with animals and clever illustrations makes this a book for all age levels.
Amazon
Amazon Reader Review
A remarkable book that takes on the issue of Alzheimer’s head on in the most compelling and sensitive way. Coupled with the beautiful graphics, the book makes a frightening diagnosis something to be discussed in an honest, open manner.