fantasy – Page 7 – One Chapter

Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el

I was thrilled to see this sequel because after I had read the first book in this series, I needed more of Duane and his friends. I love the way that the author narrates the books and I really enjoy the characters. It’s how the characters relate to one another, how they view themselves in their world and their own unique personalities that make these characters stand out. You don’t need to have previously read the first book to enjoy this book in the series but I highly recommend that you read it because you’ll love it.

His winter slumber is over, as Duane walks out to find his friends and they bring him up-to-date on what he has missed. Starving, the friends head down to the beach for a picnic. They were a great, cheerful group of friends but now, a new face has arrived and he’s causing waves among the small group. It seems that this weasel has a comment about everything and everyone. They’re such a tight group of friends that, when one of them is affected by the weasel, the whole group is impacted. That darn weasel!

There were some great moments in the book, moments that made me smile and laugh. I loved how Duane removed the snow without using a shovel. If only that would work in real life, I would love to be able to do that. As I sit here now, in Iowa with over 14 inches of snow on the ground, I’m thinking I could roll myself a nice-sized fort. The concern and the effort that the characters put forth for Duane and Boo was so sweet. That’s what friends do for each other and they each did what they wanted and what they were capable of doing also. I can’t wait to see how much Musk Ox changed, if any, when he returns back to the Very, Very Far North. I was afraid that he was going to be gone for a while but I’m glad to see that he’s coming back shortly. I enjoyed the letter he wrote.

This was a great sequel and I can’t wait to share it with my grandchildren when they get older. It’d make a great read aloud or it’s a great chapter book.

They Threw Us Away by Daniel Kraus

Why? Just why, would anyone throw a teddy bear away? The whole cover of this book grabbed my attention from the fun text fonts used, to the unique teddies on the front who seemed to be in a wasteland, to how the author made this topic into a series, I had to know more. Enter the world of Furringon Teddies. Where a group of five teddies finally make it free out into the world and realize, perhaps they being inside the store was better.

When Buddy wakes up, he finds that he’s no longer trapped. It hot, bright and he’s sitting. As he moves his paws to shield his eyes, he makes a huge discover, he can actually move his paws! He’s always been upright, bounded by white plastic cords but now, he could physically move every part of his body! He’s made it outside the store! The teddies in the store have always wondered about this place.

Hearing something, Buddy spies a box that looks familiar. Disappointed that it’s not his own box, Buddy realizes that it’s an identical box and there’s 3 more of them close by. Buddy has found 4 other Teddies like himself. They can’t stand around after Buddy releases them as there’s a group of gulls moving towards them. How did this group of five end up in the trashlands? They read their boxes later, hoping to find clues, and they realize a few things about themselves. They’re supposed to “snuggle, cuddle, nap, sleep” and not talk, walk, get in trouble, and be mean. The group decides that they need to get out of the trashlands but as teddies, is any place safe?

This book was different than how I thought it would be. I liked how detailed the author was with setting the book up and how he shares that information. There’s Reginald, he’s a gray teddy. He has a lot of knowledge, he’s been on the shelf the longest, and he’s also the cautious one. Then, there’s Sugar. Her box had a “sticker reading damaged merchandise” which had affected the box that she was found in and her face. Her actions and the way that others reacted to her were different than the other characters. Her actions at the end of this book surprised me. These are just some of the subtle ways that the author “tells” the reader about the world that they’re painting for them.

It’s quite a journey for the group as they make their way out, the store shelves are long gone. They’re no longer the Furrington Teddies they once were. I was surprised at how dark this book became as they were met with outside influences.

I liked how this story flowed and the variety of characters but I think my main issue was the use of the teddy bear characters. For it being a children’s book, I became concerned for those who would be upset when they were reading it and suddenly, they came upon a section that they weren’t prepared for. If I think along the lines of Toy Story, where dangerous situations happen to those characters, to me, those characters are toys. Toys fall apart, you put them back together. Toys get their voices and attitudes from the children who play with them, typically. These are teddy bears, most individuals think of teddy bears as sweet, loveable, huggable animals.

I did think the ending was sweet and I look forward to the next book. Make sure you know your reader before handing this book to them.

Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls

I guess I don’t follow the excitement about this book. The illustrations are wonderful but I thought they were the best aspect about the book. With a fantasy theme to them, the girl moves through the different scenes, trying to escape her dark past. Some scenes she has forest animals with her and in one she has dragons but throughout her adventures, she is with her companion, the fox.

Trying to put her dark and gloomy life behind her, she’s trying to move onto a brighter future. As she flees with the fox, she realizes that they could run into problems in their journey but she knows the action they can take to beat it.

It’s a beautiful book but I think the text might be a bit deep for some readers. It’s a book about hope, letting readers know that, although they may feel overwhelmed or defeated, victory and success awaits them. I think for a picture book, there are many children who will not be able to comprehend the true meaning of what the author is trying to convey without someone explaining it to them first. Once you get over that small hump with young readers, it’s a great book and for older readers, they should be able to grasp it.

Lift by Minh Le

Ha! This picture book is definitely a fun one and one you could have a good time with. Iris got mad when things changed in her normal routine but then, she found a solution. Little did she know that solution would lead her on magical journeys that began in her own bedroom.

Iris loved to push the elevator buttons in the apartment building that she lived in with her family. It always made her happy and she could count on it to cheer her up. Whenever they needed to push one of the elevator buttons, Iris would step right up and DING, she’d push the correct button.

She doesn’t know what happened that Thursday but once her family got inside the elevator to go up to their apartment, her little brother reached right over and pushed the elevator button before Iris had a chance. WHAT!! Her brother was so proud and excited and her parents, well…. they had the same reaction. Iris, she was mad! Then, on Friday when they left their apartment and again, got inside the elevator, her brother reached over and pushed the button AGAIN! Oh, the look on Iris’ face! I loved this part!! She doesn’t hold back her anger, nope! What does she do? Yell? Scream? Iris reaches over and she pushes all the buttons and her family stops on all the floors. This, my friend, I can see happening. How does everyone on the elevator feel now? I liked this part of the book as it shows through the text and the illustrations a lot about the characters.

When they finally reach the lobby, there’s a repair man fixing the other elevator. He’s currently replacing the elevator’s wall button and Iris notices when he throws the broken button in the trash can. Ah! Yep, Iris quickly grabs the broken elevator button and she shoves it into her coat pocket. I liked how most of this activity is told without words. Following the text boxes, the illustrations tell the story. Once home and safety behind her bedroom door, Iris takes the broken elevator button out of her pocket. After grabbing some tape, she tapes it up on her wall. She pushes the button (just for good measure)and starts to walks away when “DING!”

Don’t you love it? I would love to read this to a child or to a classroom and see what they think is going to happen next because it’s time to turn the page and then, Iris has an amazing adventure. Iris does return to her family’s apartment for just a bit and then, Iris is ready and we hear a DING!

I really loved this book and I have to get a copy of this. I love how it opens up the avenue for discussions and possibilities. I liked how Iris got angry and how she dealt with it, it was honest and representative of how some children might handle that situation, I think. I wished her parents would have said something to her about her behavior, not a lecture but something to address it. I thought her adventures were fun and entertaining and I think, children will like them too. The illustrations in this book are fantastic. The detail and the colors really bring out the story. It’s a mixture of a story book and wordless book as there were pages that didn’t have any words and you just had to follow the pictures to understand the storyline. Iris’ feelings towards her brother were fitting and her actions at the end of the book were really sweet. This is definitely a good book to read to the children in your life. 4.75 stars

The Circus of Stolen Dreams by Lorelei Savaryn

She just wasn’t ready so, when the Land of Dreams appeared, Andrea was more than ready to pay the price of admission. Her price was: one of her dreams or a memory but what awaited her was, the opportunity to forget her troubles. This was definitely a good deal, Andrea thought. As the carnival specular surrounded her, Andrea tried to put the past 3 years behind her.

It had been 3 years since Andrea’s brother disappeared. Her parents have been moving forward and have decided to finally get rid of the rest of Francis’ possessions that have been boxed up and stacked in the garage. Andrea just couldn’t deal with moving on without Francis. When she came across Reverie, I think she was hoping that this might be the escape that she was looking for.

I was mesmerized by this novel. I loved how Andrea fell for Reverie and it’s magic. She befriended Penny, who shows Andrea how the Land of Dreams works. Penny has been at Reverie for a while so she knows everything about it. It’s a magical journey as Andrea travels to Reverie searching for answers. I enjoyed the little twists in the story and the adventure that it took me on. I enjoyed the character of Andrea as she had a huge heart and she was much stronger than she thought she was. I really loved the love and the bonds that I felt in this book. A fantastic book that I really enjoyed.

“I ask the Sandman”

“To a land of dreams, in which I can play”

The Institute by Stephen King

I haven’t read a Stephen King book in a long time and I do believe, this is the first SK book that I have listened to. I remember reading him back in the 1980’s, for he was the master of creepy. As I listened to this book, it wasn’t like the SK that I remembered, this was a slow burn for me. I got attached to the main character of Luke and I felt protective of him.

I liked how there were very few characters in this book. I really enjoyed the character of Luke and his personality. He was only 12-years old yet you would never know that. I enjoyed all the little references in the book that brought back memories. It’s always fun when an author adds some fun information into the book. I thought the audio was very good. I was nervous about reading a SK book again but I’m glad that I did. I should now read a Dean Koontz book as he was my other favorite thriller writer from the 80’s.

The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee

This is life. I liked how clever and entertaining the parents became when they were faced with an emergency situation. When they no longer had childcare for their son for the night, they brought him along when they went to work. Working as office janitors (cleaners), the couple transformed the office building into a paper kingdom.

Daniel was shocked at the amount of paper and the mess that his Mama and Papa had to clean up that night but his parents began talking about the dragons and the king and queen that all lived inside this paper kingdom. As they moved around the building cleaning, they told Daniel stories, making the night hours pass faster. It was a night of adventure for Daniel, as the couple cleaned up after the royal couple and the dragons while Daniel listened to their stories.

Not dismissing Daniel’s remarks about the conditions inside the kingdom, Papa does take Daniel aside and has a father-to-son talk. This was a special moment I thought as Papa explains to Daniel that someday, when he becomes a King, he’ll be able to sit in the throne room and tell the dragons how to behave. What an encouraging moment. Everything about this book makes it a great book to read aloud.

You and Me and the Wishing Tree by Nancy Tillman

It was the most magical day. It began when they awoke and found the orange wishing tree on their front lawn. The parent and child knew it was special as they both made their wishes. Only, it was the child who spoke with excitement their wish and instantly, that wish came true.

Filled with enthusiasm and intensity, the pair is flying through the sky. Witnessing the world from up high, the scenes were breathtaking. The child continues to make wishes that are granted, as their day is filled with magical events that only a child could dream of. It’s quite a fun-filled day but the day must end, as both the child and the parent got their wishes from that magical, orange wishing tree.

What a beautiful picture book! What would you wish for? If you could have a whole day of wishes, what would you do? I enjoyed the bright detailed illustrations in this book and sweet storyline that accompanied it. A great storybook to read to any child.

There’s an Elf in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

This is an interactive book so get ready! Do you want to be on Santa’s Nice List and get presents? Of course, most individuals would say yes! If you’re one of them, whatever you do, don’t be tricked by Elf and do something naughty. If you pass the test and end up on Santa’s Nice List, at the end of the book, you get an Official Nice List Certificate.

Inside this book, Elf will be asking you complete a few tasks. Some of these activities will be cute and some will be “naughty.” From blowing a Christmas Kiss (nice), to repeating a comment that Elf says that includes the word butt (naughty), Elf will give you a handful of instructions that he’d like you to follow.

I think kids would enjoy this book and I think that reading it to a group of kids, the reaction would be even better. I don’t know how well the rereading of this book would be overtime as I feel the novelty of it would wear off. Perhaps if you only read it during the holiday season, it would continue to be a great read.

Kitty and the Treetop Chase by Paula Harrison

This is a series but you don’t need to read the previously books in the series to enjoy this one. I hadn’t read the previously books and I really enjoyed this children’s chapter book. This is a quick-paced story as Kitty is faced with a few obstacles as she solves another mystery using her superpowers with her cat crew at her side.

In this adventure, Kitty’s father has just finished creating a tree house for her and she can’t wait for her first sleepout. Mother has just informed Kitty that tonight, some good friends are coming over for dinner with their son, Ozzy. Mother thinks that Kitty should invite Ozzy to her sleepover. What?!? Kitty thought the tree house would only be hers.

When the family arrives, Ozzy seems too quiet for Kitty but nevertheless, she invites him to her sleepover. During the night, big changes occur for these two.

This was a fun adventure. I liked how there was some emotional ties and the mystery had a few layers to it. The storyline was easy to read but not childish. It was a good story.