194. Cinderella With Dogs

Cinderella with Dogs! Linda Bailey. Illustrated by Freya Hartas. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book; fairy tale adaptation; humor; dogs and cats]

First sentence: Poor Cinderella, lonely and sad, was sweeping the ashes from the fireplace. Everyone else had gone off to the ball to dance. She had to stay home--and work! Poor Cinderella never went anywhere. She never had a single bit of fun. Ever! "If only I had a fairy godmother," she said. 

Premise/plot: A Cinderella retelling with a fairy DOGmother! This fairy dogmother has her own ideas of how to fulfill Cinderella's wishes. And her ideas include CHASING SQUIRRELS, running, playing, fetching ball, etc. Will this dog-loving Cinderella still make an impression at the dance? Yes....just maybe not in the traditional way.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I loved seeing all the cats, dogs, and squirrels. I loved the humor. I loved the twists. It was an enjoyable, delightful fairy tale adaptation. I think my favorite part was her 'transformation' by her dogmother! 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

137. The Ice Cream Vanishes

The Ice Cream Vanishes. Julia Sarcone-Roach. 2023. [June] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Keep your eye on the acorn. I'm Squirrel. I'm a natural at making snacks disappear. Exceptional at eating them. Brilliant at hiding them. And as soon as I figure out the right magic words, I'll be the Amazing Squirrel, Vanisher of Snacks--BY MAGIC! Just need to sniff out the right snack and the right magic words.

Premise/plot: Squirrel, the "star" of this picture book, loves magic and wants to be a magician. He wants to make ICE CREAM disappear. He enlists Bear as his "assistant." Can Bear and Squirrel make ICE CREAM vanish?

My thoughts: This one was fun/funny. I enjoyed the illustrations. Squirrel doesn't quite catch on as to why Bear is so wonderful at making ice cream disappear. But that's part of the charm, in my opinion. I would recommend this one in print book. I checked it out as an e-book.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

19. Mission to Shadow Sea

Mission to Shadow Sea (Future Hero #2) Remi Blackwood. 2023. 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Jarell brushed his hand over the back of his head. It's got to be long enough now, right? he thought. At least his hair was finally more than stubble. On his last adventure to the kingdom of Ulfrika, the magical symbol had been burned away completely. He couldn't return until his hair was long enough to have a new symbol cut into it, but time was running out. He had to return to the ancient-future world of Ulfrika, find the remaining three iron animals, and stop the evil sorcerer Ikala before it was too late. 

Premise/plot: Mission to Shadow Sea is the second book in the Future Hero fantasy series for young readers. Jarell--the future hero--travels via haircut and magic mirror to another world, Ulfrica. He has adventures (and sometimes misadventures) there. When he's not off risking it all and fighting against the odds, he lives in London, I believe.

My thoughts: I am not the target audience for this one. That doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it. I would recommend, however, waiting until ALL the books in the series have been released. I imagine that this series would be at its absolute best if a reader--presumably young--sat down with a stack of books and fell absolutely in love with the series, the story, the characters, the adventure of it all. 

The more detailed a fantasy world is, the more a reread is required in between books. Plus some fantasy books just require more investment. Fantasy can be hit or miss for me. And there usually isn't a reason why some fantasy novels I just am able to immerse myself into the world and escape...and others that just leave me puzzled and out of sorts. But I do think it's more of a me problem.

I remembered the real world, London, bits. I had a hazy memory of the fantasy world. (Probably it would be better if it was reversed.) Still, I don't have to personally love a series in order to recommend it to kids. 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers