Book Reviews and More: The Case of the Easter Egg Escapades - Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis

Monday, 1 March 2021

The Case of the Easter Egg Escapades - Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis - Sisters of the Last Straw Book 6

The Case of the Easter Egg Escapades
Sisters of the Last Straw Book 6
Karen Kelly Boyce
Sue Anderson Gioulis (Illustrator)
TAN Books
ISBN 9781505115901

eISBN 9781505115925

ASIN B083Y3XD15

I have now read 5 of the 6 volumes currently in print in this series. But this was the first one my youngest daughter has read to me. She loves the stories even more now that they are at her reading level. With each book we read in this series, I appreciate it more. Two years ago, I read the fifth book in this series, The Case of the Christmas Tree Capers, a Christmas story. Last year I read the first three books in the series. My daughter is insisting that she is going to read or reread them all to me as part of her reading challenge time. I have enjoyed each of the volumes. And even more so now with my daughter reading them to me. They are great fun reads for younger readers or really for readers of any age. I previously stated that the series reminds me of Tales of a Magic Monastery by Theophane the Monk. These are really fun reads. Bu they also have good lessons. Lessons that kids will pick up on and lean from, but also lessons that we as adults can appreciate and be challenged by. A great story in a very entertaining and amusing series.

I typically do not enjoy comedy movies. I just find them a waste of time. But there are a few authors who write humorous stories that I really enjoy. But these stories really remind me of the works of Adrian Plass and Fred Secombe who are both Anglican and write very funny stuff, loosely based on life experiences. If these stories are based on life experiences I hope it is very loosely.

As always the sisters in this story are fun, and their adventures and mishaps are often funny. The sisters are:

Sister Krumbles

Sister Shiny

Sister Lovely

Sister Wanda

Sister Lacy

Mother Mercy

And towards the end we are introduced to Sister Mona. She is looking forward to finding out what happens with Sister Mona that we met at the end of the volume. She also loved when Mister Lemon exclaimed that he found the coin. But Officer Nolan reminded him that that was not true and about his offer to double the reward. But the most memorable thing for her was Sister Lacey’s verbal explosions, her favorite was:

“Flying Fish Sticks!”

Which she has exclaimed several times since finishing the story.

The volume contains the black and white illustrations by Sue Anderson Gioulis and they continue to add to the story. The book teaches us about human nature, about living the gospel, and about trusting God. It also teaches us about the different strengths and weakness in different characters, and how to live in community. The nuns seem to end up in strange situations, but with faith, hope, and prayer they usually come to a solution. From the chapter titles you always have a preview of what is about to happen next:

Money Leaks

Music Madness

Gummy Goop

Soiled Shoes

Bowl Burglary

Bountiful Bunnies

Morning Mass

Hatching Hens

In this story there is a lost precious coin. Hatching painted easter eggs. bunnies galore. A leaky roof, and other repairs needed. A flooded kitchen and more. But no matter how many problems and mishaps they have the sisters of the last straw always trust God and try to love and serve him.

There are excellent lessons for the young readers of the series for whom it is written for, and for us older folks who might read it with or to them, and in my case have it read to. Or even just on our own. It is a great story in an excellent series. And we look forward to reading the next story and hope there are yet more to come. We also are going back and rereading the first 5. I am certain that if you pick it up and laugh at and with the sisters of the last straw.