The Wingy Chronicles
Joseph Cariello
with Christopher Cariello
By Kathy Carswell
The Wingy Chronicles by Joseph Cariello, along with Christopher
Cariello, is as stated on the book’s front cover, Grandpa’s
guide to life. We are merely eavesdroppers, listening in as Joseph “Wingy”
Cariello relates stories of his past to willing listeners, his grandchildren.
Each event takes no more than a few pages, allowing readers time to
focus on the message and muse on the wisdom. Wingy lives an average
existence but shows, through past events, how he learned from mistakes
and built his own ladder to success. At the end of each anecdote, a
rectangular box contains the moral of the account.
Incidents seen by Wingy and his grandchildren as they walk through
town provoke his many recollections. Wingy touches on a variety of subjects
one might encounter in life. Chapters focus on such situations as growing
up poor, financial independence, and dealing with drugs, stress and
dying.
One such walk provokes a discussion on bullying, as they witness a
small child being picked on by another. Wingy takes this opportunity
to relate to grandson Jake his own encounter with a bully, the physical
and verbal abuse directed towards him and the winning solution (fifty
thumb tacks placed on bully Richard’s chair). The “moral box”
following this story gives these words of advice: “There are always
slings and arrows of misfortune and bullying impacting most kids. Handle
it wisely, but do address it. Don’t let it fester and grow.”
I found Cariello’s book an easy read. Each individual story was
short and to the point. One failing, though: the voice of Wingy was
not as entertaining as I would expect from someone relating a story
to a child. It would have made for a smoother read, should the authors
have made each story more child friendly, not as detailed and dry. While
you get a sense of underlying amusement, it just doesn’t pay off.
The “moral issue boxes” following the individual stories
are a welcome bonus. Some stories fell flat, yet the moral summary reinvigorated
me for the next narrative.
Rating: *** (Good)
Bridgeway Books, 2006: ISBN 978-1933538501
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