Recently, I met a young woman while judging a scholarship essay competition who asked if I would review a book written by her mother. About a week later it arrived in the mail just as I was leaving for vacation—which I thought was perfect timing because traveling is typically when I find time to catch up on my reading.
As it turns out, the book, Through A Child’s Eyes, was the first book ever written by self-published author, Phillis T. Forrest.
As I begin reading, let’s just say, I was hooked at the prologue.
She explains in the prologue that her story is a nightmare. It’s not your typical story of sexual abuse, and the sexual predator is not who you would expect.
She introduces the reader to 19-year-old Stephan, who seemed to genuinely care for children. The writer shares that she and her siblings were raised by a single mom, who was reported to Child Protective Services(CPS) by a neighbor for leaving her children unattended, making her a prime target for the charismatic young man to enter her life and have close contact with her children.
The writer, encouraged by her daughter to tell her true story, boldly shares every detail of the abuse that began for her as a seven-year-old little girl through her character named Toni.
Sadly, the abuse takes place over the course of 14 years, and Forrest does not withhold any of the gut-wrenching details, including being introduced as her abuser’s wife at aged 13.
What is commendable about Forrest’s prose style of writing is that throughout the book, she gives strong examples, interjecting bold clues in her writing to make parents aware of what tactics are executed to trap their victims.
Sadly, young Toni’s mom missed every-single clue.
Admittedly, reading little Toni’s story weighed heavily on my heart, particularly as a mother. I wanted to pick up the phone and call all of my family and friends and tell them to hold their babies close, and to trust NO ONE with your kids!
The book is a must-read for everyone. However, the book specifically sends a strong message to single parents who at times are most vulnerable when it comes to finding someone to care for their precious children.
Let me just add, I personally see a film project here. Director Lee Daniels of the Academy-award winning film Precious, might just want to give Phillis T. Forrest a call.
Reviewed by: Gwen Pierce
To order a copy visit:
http://www.throughachildseyes290611.com/
I have read Phillis’ book, Through A Childs Eye’s. It is riveting. It evoked the same emotions from me that you discussed. It’s incredibly well wriiten and brutally honest. This excellent piece of journalism deserves a screen write and deserves to be on the Best Sellers List. Spread the word folks. Lets help Phillis get this book to as many media outlets as possible.
I agree with Ms. Pierce. I have read this book and as I was reading it I could visualize the entire story. Author Forrest has already written the movie, somebody just need to grab it…this book is a the best I have read when it comes to raising awareness on this topic.
TYLER PERRY, LEE DANIELS, OPRAH, STEVE HARVEY, MICHAEL BAISDEN…WHERE ARE YOU????!!!! YOU CAN’T TELL ME THAT YOU HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS BOOK!!! AND IF YOU HAVE AN HAVE NOT CRACKED IT OPEN, YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON YOUR NEXT MOVIE THAT CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND PARENTS!!
AUTHOR FORREST, I wish you the best of luck. You deserve everything good that is coming to you!
Resect!
Kent
Sorry for the typos, I am doing this at work and trying to rush it!
I 2nd or should I say 3rd that! I have read the book as well and was drawn in emotionally the first and 2nd time I read it. Every eerie feeling, every fit of anger, every instance of pain, manipulation and injustice at failure to adhere to clues and protective rules. Ms. Pierce was correct! This is not your typical story of sexual abuse. I’ve never even heard of it happening in this manner. I truly felt like a fly on the wall all the way to the end. Phillis T. Forrest wrote a book that has you follow her emotionally. So by the end just as the Author is, I too was emotionally released. Excellent book i cant wait to see the movie. Yes! Yes! Definitely a must read if only to become more mindful of silent suffering children.
“Through A Child’s Eyes” is definitely the best book I have read as it relates to sexual abuse or any type of abuse. I say that because, the Author wrote this book with so much imagery, but the most amazing part was how she could break down the rules that her mother broke and give specific examples of how it got her predator closer to her. The things that happened to her, definitely will have you believing that there is someone higher watching over us, because I don’t know how she made it out through 14 years of this type of manipulating-sickening abuse.
I truly hope to see this book on the big screen. I hope that it is told the way she wrote it because anything less wouldn’t give you the full lesson. I agree with Kent, where are all of the big hitters at?! This book is AMAZING!!!!!
I have NEVER read anything like this in all my life. Stephan is pure evil and the mother of Toni is just plain clueless. I am disgusted by the manipulative, sick people who pretend the care about children. Thank-you Phillis for sharing your story. I agree, this story needs to be told to the masses on the big screen! Like Kent said, Where you at Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels, Spike Lee.
Through a Child’s Eyes conveys one of any child’s or parents most dreaded nightmare; a sexual predator. The book was compelling, intriguing, gripping while taking you through a varied series of emotions; sorrow, anger, gut wrenching pain for the victim. It leaves you with questions of WHY?? Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put this book down. Then just when you think nothing more is going to affect this family, it doesn’t stop there.
Looking forward to reading the book!
Thanks for the review!