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