Early Book Review: Doodle Adventure: The Pursuit of the Pesky Pizza Pirate by Mike Lowery

Doodle Adventure: The Pursuit of the Pesky Pizza Pirate by Mike Lowery is the second book in the Doodle Adventure series, which invites, no actually requires, readers to add their own artwork and ideas to the story. It is currently scheduled for release on September 6 2016. The first book is The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs, which I now own two copies of- because each of my children wanted their own. 

Doodle Adventures: The Pursuit of the Pesky Pizza Pirate! features Carl, the friendly narrator who happens to be a duck, and the reader, who is drawn right into the story—literally. Together, they embark on the very important mission of finding out who has been stealing all of the pizza in town. Could it be the Dread Pirate Slobberts, the meanest, nastiest pirate ever to sail the Seven Seas? And, more important, how are they going to get all that pizza back? The reader takes part in the adventure, filling in the blanks on each page and making the story their own, and ready to read again or share over and over again.

Doodle Adventures: The Pursuit of the Pesky Pizza Pirate! is a fun interactive story that appeals to readers that have big imaginations and enjoy more interactive stories. Each page offers a prompt for the reader to draw on object or finish a picture to help the story along. While the adventure of looking for a pizza thief would be enough to capture my son’s attention (since pizza only comes second to cake on the favorite food list) the interactive and adventure aspects of the story keep him interested and actively reading than most books. This is true for newly independent readers that are still getting comfortable with exploring chapter books, but more advanced readers as well. The creativity and fun factors will make this a hit for many. I am off to preorder my two copies now. 

Book Review: Inspector Flytrap and the Big Deal Mysteries by Tom Angelburger, Cece Bell

Inspector Flytrap and the Big Deal Mysteries is an easy chapter book written by Tom Angelburger and illustrated by Cece Bell. On his first caper, Inspector Flytrap heads to the Art Museum’s Secret Lab to discover what important message lies in a mysterious glob on a recently discovered Da Vinci flower painting. The ingenious solution: Da Vinci was allergic to flowers, and the glob is, er, evidence of that ancient sneeze. Next Inspector Flytrap works on cases such as “The Big Deal Mystery of the Stinky Cookies” and “The Big Deal Mystery of the Missing Rose".

Inspector Flytrap and the Big Deal Mysteries is another funny and engaging story that will capture the interest of young readers. Inspector Flytrap is insistent on only working big deal cases, and his assistant and friend, a goat, is clearly not impressed with anything. Together they work cases, and sometimes cause more problems than they fix. I like that Inspector Flytrap is indeed smart and clever enough to solve the cases that come his way, and that in a silly but fun way show readers that his lack of mobility (he is a potted plant after all) is no barrier in making friends or solving cases. The characters and cases are silly on several levels, leaving readers entertained as they attempt to solve the cases before the detective. There is a running theme of friendship and working as a team through out the book along with wonderfully entertaining illustrations that keep readers interested.

 

Inspector Flytrap and the Big Deal Mysteries is a wacky book that will draw in reluctant and newly independent readers and keep them reading happily. The story and illustrations come together wonderfully to make readers laugh, think, and enjoy reading- which is the point, right? 

Early Book Review: Doodle Adventures: The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs! by Mike Lowery

Doodle Adventures: The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs! by Mike Lowery was an interactive read for middle grade readers. It is currently scheduled for release on May 17 2016.This is the first book in a lighthearted fantasy stories where the reader first draws him- or herself into the story, and then continues by following prompts and adding more illustrations and doodles. Set in space, the book invites the reader to join Carl, a duck and member of a super-secret international group of explorers, on a journey in search of a very important grail-like object; a jar with an artifact that's gone missing.

Doodle Adventures is a fun book that I think my middle grade reader will absolutely love. The book often prompts readers to draw something that is absolutely necessary to the story, but leaves the exact content of the artwork up to the reader. There is some silly humor, plenty of action, and lots of fun. The illustrations that are already in the book, of Carl the Duck and the action, are fun and well done so that they catch the eye and ad to the story. However, they are also simple enough not to discourage the reader from adding their own ideas and artwork to the story. Readers that enjoy illustrated chapterbooks, graphic novels, and drawing will all enjoy this book. The only issue I can see is with readers that might not remember that library books and other books are not fill in the blank or for addition additional artwork too. However, I have faith that most parents that have children with that inclination will already know and handle the issue appropriately.

Doodle Adventures is on pre-order for my son, and I think any reader that needs to feel fully involved in the story, or really loves to doodle, will adore this book. I think this will appeal to readers that like interaction with the story, silly humor, and fast paced stories. I think this would be a good pick for less confident or reluctant readers, as long as they know not to write in their other books. 

Book Review: The Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

The Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven by Brandon Mull is a companion book to the popular series. It is illustration by Brandon Dorman. Fans of Fablehaven know every one of the dragons and mythical creatures in the series has a name and a special power and in the text they’re described as all looking very different. But they’ve existed only in our imagination, until now. This book is the first visual discovery of ALL the creatures in the series and is written as if you, the reader, is the new caretaker of the Fablehaven preserve. It has all sorts of insider’s knowledge like "dragon tears" are very powerful for making potions but they are extremely difficult to come by and cruel people have been known to capture a young dragon and murder his family just to collect tears! Entries detail important information about artifacts large and small, a complete bestiary of creatures (from fairies to trolls to satyrs), a guide to identifying demons, dragons, and wizards as well as valuable insights into the other magical preserves.

The Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven is full of fun and interesting information about the creature of Fablehaven. The illustration from Dorman are beyond wonderful, and add more details about the creatures while captivating the readers even more. the Notes from Seth and Kendra are well done, and look like they are taped into the book. The descriptions of the people, creatures, things, and places from the series are extremely well done. I have been inspired to go back and reread the series with all of this information at my disposal, how and when I will have the time to do this I do not know- but it is on my list! if you have not read the series, you can still greatly enjoy this volume, although fans of the series will definitely get more from the read. Anyone4 that enjoys mystical creatures, adventures, and beautiful illustrations will greatly enjoy this read.

The Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven is a delightful read for fans of the series, and those that think taking care of mystical creatures might be a good job. The details and writing style will have readers entertained and engaged right from beginning to end. 

Book Review: The 39-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton, Stig Wemyss

The 39-Storey Treehouse is a children's book written by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton, and the audiobook is narrated by Stig Wemyss. Both formats have something to recommend them, but I will save that for the end of the review. This is the third installment in Andy and Terry’s book series about their ever-growing treehouse. While it is more fun to read in order, it is not necessary. The action and zaniness come through just fine without having read the previous book. The previous books are The 13-Storey Treehouse and The 26-Storey Treehouse.

Andy and Terry’s amazing treehouse has 13 new levels including a chocolate waterfall, a non-erupting active volcano, an opera house, a baby-dinosaur petting zoo, Andy and Terry’s Believe it or Else! museum, a not-very-merry merry-go-round, a boxing elephant called the Trunkinator, an X-Ray room, a disco with light-up dance floor, the world’s scariest roller-coaster and a top secret 39th level that hasn’t even been finished yet! Part of the unfinished treehouse is the "once upon a time" machine to help them meet their latest book deadline. But, as usual things go a bit awry and adventure ensues.

The 39-Storey Treehouse is the third installment of the series, and is just as funny as the previous adventures. I think the action in this book is actually a bit more intense than that of the previous books, although there is plenty of silly fun and entertaining illustrations (or wacky voice acting) as well. I got a kick out of the new inventions, and the new characters. The inclusion, and then un-inventing, of things like hot ice cream and a cross between frogs and hippos made my kids and I laugh more than once. I do not want to expose all the fun in this installment- just know that if you liked the humor and style of the first two books, this installment has all that and more.

The 39-Storey Treehouse is another winner for fans of silly reads with great action. If you (or your kids) liked the previous books and like illustrated chapter books then this book will keep everyone happy. My son keeps rereading this one, because he notices new or different details in the book every time!

Book Review: The 26-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton, Stig Wemyss

The 26-Storey Treehouse is a children's book written by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton, and the audiobook is narrated by Stig Wemyss. Both formats have something to recommend them, but I will save that for the end of the review. It is also the sequel to The 13-Storey Treehouse, and while it is more fun to read in order, it is not necessary. The action and zaniness come through just fine without having read the previous book. 

This book tells the story of how Andy and Terry met, and how the pair met Jill. In the newly expanded treehouse readers are treated to the mostly true, and slightly long, story of how the treehouse came to be their home. The sharks make an appearance, as does pirate wooden head, a robot serving 78 insane ice cream flavors, a wacky nursery rhyme, and the Maze of Doom. The combination of fast action, silliness, and equally crazy illustrations (or voice acting and sound effects) come together to entertain. The interruptions of writing the next story, layered with the interruptions of the story in which they all met, come together in a larger story that will make any parent or sibling recognize their lives in the inability to finish anything uninterrupted. There is a good amount of potty humor, and some high action. Just a silly and high entertainment story perfect for reluctant and struggling readers to get them eager to keep reading.

 The 26-Storey Treehouse is even better than the first book, and made my family eager to have The 39-Storey Treehouse in their hands (and in the car CD player). They have never been so eager to get in the car to head to school or church than they are when a entertaining audiobook is in the cd-player. This is one book that had them moving at high speeds. As with the previous book, The 13-Storey Treehouse, I both read and listened to the book with my two kids. I still say that both versions are wonderful, and it comes down to personal preference and time to decide what path to take, I still so do both!

Early Book Review: The Sandwich Thief by André Marois, Patrick Doyon

The Sandwich Thief by André Marois and Patrick Doyon is a children’s book that straddles the line between illustrated chapter book and graphic novel, It is currently scheduled for release on March 1 2016. I think elementary school through high school age readers will enjoy the book. Marin loves the sandwiches his parents make for him—every day they're different and more delicious than the last. One morning, someone dares to steal his favorite sandwich: ham-cheddar-kale. Furious, Marin begins a fevered and famished investigation to unmask the thief. The days go by, the suspects multiply, and Marin's sandwiches continue to disappear. 

The Sandwich Thief is a fun, and funny, mystery that will appeal to transitional readers, and more advanced readers that enjoy mystery, humor, and illustrations or graphic novels. Poor Marin has foodies for parents, and his lunches are definite evidence of that. While he has talked then out of some of the more elaborate meals, he still gets some pretty great sandwiches. When they start going missing Marin is on a mission to solve the crime. I like that once he comes clean and shares the problem with his parents a solution is found that not only catches the culture but keep Marin from getting himself into more trouble. There were some little things that bothered me here and there through the story, overall I found it to be good fun and I think it will have broad appeal to elementary and middle grade readers. My two kids will certainly get a kick out of the humorous aspects of the story. 

The Sandwich Thief is the first in a series, but it does not require readers to continue to solve a cliff hanger. Return readers will do so because the like the characters, wit, and art style rather than because they are trapped into doing so because of unresolved endings.  

Book Review: The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton, Stig Wemyss

The 13-Storey Treehouse is a children's book written by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton, and the audiobook is narrated by Stig Wemyss. Both formats have something to recommend them, but I will save that for the end of the review. 

Who wouldn't want to live in a treehouse? Especially a treehouse that has a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a tank full of sharks, a library full of comics, a secret underground laboratory, a games room, self-making beds, vines you can swing on, a vegetable vaporiser and a marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots your favorite flavored marshmallows into your mouth whenever it discerns you're hungry. Andy and Terry  live here, make books together, and have a series of completely nutty adventures. 

The 13-Storey Treehouse is a zany story that will appeal to readers that like high action, silly humor, and crazy illustrations. The treehouse is pretty insane, and the adventures that Terry and Andy have in the process of trying to get their next book written will entertain just about everyone. There are man eating sharks, a cat painted yellow (like a canary) that can fly, a marshmallow shooter, and a variety of insanity hidden away in a treehouse. I think the combination of story and illustrations (or voice acting) in this book make it a great pick for anyone interested in picking it up. There are jokes that might go over the heads of younger readers, but older readers will enjoy it. This is a great pick for reluctant readers and those that claim that they do not like to read, because they just have not found the right books for their tastes and skill. 

The 13-Storey Treehouse is a book high in silliness, action, and eye catching humor (or fantastic voice acting and sound effects). My son is now a huge fan, and any time that he picks up a book rather than his DS I know that it is a winner for readers that crave this kind of reading material. 

My nine year old has read the books with me, and my seven year old has listened to the audiobook with both of us. I would recommend both formats, because they are fantastic. The illustrations and text art in the printed format is wonderful fun, but Stig Wemyss’s voice acting is fantastic. I say buy the paper version, and have the kiddos read along as you listen to the audiobook- that way you get the best of both worlds!