 This is the 2nd edition of The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool with a new cover and illustrations and it was well worth the wait. My slugs have particularly commended the cover and asked why I don't have covers as pretty. I ignored them. Even though the beautiful cover gives a good impression of the kind of content inside - beautiful writing - it would seem to be more aimed at girls than boys. However, I'm male and most of my slugs are male - probably- and we enjoyed it so perhaps the male members of your household will like it too? And why not? This book is full of Greek mythology, specifically in relation to Ares (which is sure to get kids interested in the Greek mythologies) as the young princesses attempt to protect our protagonist Harmonie from her father and her siblings. Full of adventure and a lovely narrative, this is a promising first book and with the 2nd to take place in Hawaii, lots more great adventures and storytelling are sure to be told.
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 Super Fred is an epic poem about a monster unable to scare a little boy. Together they concoct a plan to convince Fred's friend Bob, the scariest monster (as scary as one of my genetically modified slugs?), that Fred is much scarier. Dale, the little boy, and Fred then strike up a great friendship. The rhyme is superb with great fluidity and enough new vocabulary for children to learn. There's gentle humour throughout and a wonderful underlying message about friendship. The illustrations work well with the rhyme, with its soft colours and fresh look. I'd imagine the print version of this must be very nice and do the illustrations justice. I highly recommend this to all the slugs out there.
 This has now become my favourite D M Potter interactive story. It's educational - great information on caves, butterflies and sailing for example, excellent way to learn new vocabulary - my slugs were stumped on a few occasions, and most of all, it's challenging and fun. On my adventure, I went to the beach then found a cave, went up to the fortress and sailed over to an island where, something quite odd happened. I shan't say more! The pacing is excellent and the tension just builds and builds. Definitely one to buy!
 Children and little slugs will find this most appealing as the cover and the rest of the illustrations are really top-notch. Full of colour and very modern. The story's about a bored little boy who'd like a dog but can't have one. He then hits on the idea to build his own robot. He soon does and they have lots of fun together. The book should inspire little inventors everywhere as it's certainly inspired some of my slugs who've already gotten to work on a robot themselves... Unfortunately, it seems to be similar to the T1000. Highly recommended.
 What an interesting title! And there's much more interest inside this book of children's rhymes about derrieres, dragons, mice, the three little pigs and much, much more. Unfortunately, no rhymes about cabbages, slugs, moustaches or me, Elias Zapple. For shame! I especially enjoyed the rhyme 'In the Dark' about the adventures of a mouse in its new home. I often wonder how my newly imported slugs feel when they first arrive. I must ask them. I digress. How does one lose a bottom? What does one look like? I'd like to see an illustration please!
This is a very funny, cleverly written book of rhymes and I implore you all to grab a copy for your children who'll be entertained, laughing about bottoms and will also learn a few new words. Slug-tastic stuff!  A charming book full of diversity which is fun and educational! Even my slugs learnt something - and that doesn't happen often. Destiny and Faith need summer jobs and they soon get the most enjoyable job of all - cleaning a neighbour's attic! This isn't just any old attic as the attic is inside a haunted house! (No more exclamation marks!) They also become friends with the occupants, specifically a deaf boy called Dustin and we get to experience sign language - something all children should become familiar with. My slugs have now taken it up and become fairly proficient. There's even a page at the back listing the sign language alphabet.
Just one thing, ghost... garlic? Very amusing! (You'll have to read it).  Always Be Us Three is a touching book about a child experiencing the break up of his parents' marriage. It's in the form of a rhyme and is told in a very clear, tender and empathetic way to give support to children that may be experiencing the same thing - something many find traumatic. I myself was rather traumatised when Lenny the Slug left my home... if only this book had been around for me when that terrible event happened. I still weep to this day.
The illustrations match the rhyme perfectly. Another winning combination from Natalie Finnigan and Gina Rahman.  A novel way to learn a language for young kids/slugs about to embark upon Spanish as a 2nd/3rd/10th language. My slugs have already taken it up and learnt many things yet still continue to burn my toast in the morning. It's quite short so not at all taxing for young kids or slugs that are missing one or two brain cells. My only criticism would be that black and white might not appeal to young ones, perhaps redo it in colour? Still, not bad! :)
 Not about a light switch This is indeed an exciting adventure story that had my slugs and I on the edge of our seats. A couple of slugs got so excited that they fell off their seats. Unfortunately, for them, there was a a frying pan beneath. Fortunately for me, it provided me with a little snack whilst I read this quite wonderful story.
The main reason I like it is because I am a little OCD and a bit of a maniac when it comes to hygiene, like our protagonist, Ethan. The poor boy has to leave his opulent home and then, via his Dad and stepmother's place in Zimbabwe go on safari and then gets transported to a strange, magical kingdom trying to rescue his cousin, Joe! Think of the dirt the poor Ethan has to encounter! With poor cousin Joe being held captive, will Ethan and the others rescue him in time? Or will he end up like those slugs that fell off the chair? What we have is a story with magic, adventure, witchcraft, all set in Africa - which is wonderful for kids to read and learn about. My remaining slugs are already looking forward to book two! Excellent stuff.  New cover coming! If you're looking for a book for your children or slugs (ages 9+) that delves into a bit of English history around the Elizabethan era, if you're looking for something that has magic and fantasy, uses the wonderful British Museum as a prime location, has well-written action and something that's a little different then I'd highly recommend The Magician's Fire (ZiyZo). You're not going to get your usual book as the author herself is probably rather unusual and who doesn't like quirky? The author obviously knows a lot about magic, spells and things of that nature - which is rather worrying come to think of it.
I'd imagine that if you or your children liked Harry Potter then they'd love this, however there's something more real about this. I understand that this is the first in the series so hopefully we will see many more. Get into it and begin the journey of online dragon chasing! Just don't attempt to chase slugs as they don't like it and will slime you. |
His ZapplenessChoosing books worthy enough to be read and reviewed by Elias Zapple. Archives
February 2015
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