Hiro Plays Tiny Tim is book #4 in the Anna’s Friends series of 8 illustrated books for the 3rd grade level, or age 8-10. (See The Assignment, Book #1 and Anna’s Friends Save the Animal Shelter, Book #2, The Hayride #3). In book #4 we will follow Hiro through his journey of practicing for his role as Tiny Tim in the classic play, A Christmas Carol and how he overcomes the adversity of such an important role with his wit and humor. This fun excerpt shows us one of the fun traits of this child - teasing his friends: Hiro had a rubber spider in his pocket just waiting for the right time and the right person to tease with it. He got down off the table and sat by Sarah, then quietly and slowly took the rubbery toy critter out of his pocket to be ready for the right moment. Okay, all in favor raise your hand, Anna told the group. Everyone raised their hand except Jesse. Perfect, Hiro said under his breath. While everyone’s hands were raised he slid the spider in Sarah’s notebook that was laying on the table. Sarah will you write a few lines about the reading contest and give it to me before you go home so I can put it in the newsletter? Anna asked.Sarah was very thrifty. She opened her notebook to take out a piece of paper. She let out a scream that everyone in the park heard. Sarah’s notebook went flying through the air. Papers floated up and down and everywhere just like bird feathers, and the spider too. The rubber critter came down and landed on Cayden’s hair but no one saw it just then. Where did it go, where is it? Sarah shouted and moved around the table like a chicken with its head cut off. Early reviews: Tammy: Kendyl and I have loved it! We are reading it together, laughing and learning. The book prompted Kendyl to ask me what was her gift. I said let’s keep reading and find out. She has a servant’s heart. It also prompted Kendyl to think about her friends and classmates and their gifts. What’s great is that this age group can relate so well to the author’s purpose. It comes shining through clearly. I didn’t tell Kendyl the theme of the book…she figured it out on her own which is important for this audience age. Yvonne is an excellent author! Paola: I really enjoyed reading this book with my children. It got my children and I thinking about our own God given gifts and how we want to explore them further. We were so into the story that we could feel the emotion coming from the book. We felt Anna’s excitement as well as her sorrow at times. It is a great book which I will recommend to anyone! You even made my eyes water a few times. Xavier: My 9-year-old son laughed at the silly things Hiro would do to the girls because I think he relates to the character. I like how Mr. Henderson wants his students to share their God given gifts with the world. Aysel: My 10-year-old daughter was into the book and loved how God was included and prayer was mentioned. She really enjoyed reading Anna’s Friends. She liked how it was easy to understand and follow. Angela: I opened the manuscript and began reading a few pages. I was IMMEDIATELY sucked into the story and I can’t wait to finish what I need to do right now so I may get back to the book. Enough said? I am…I, I don’t have the words. This is a God thing.