The Traveling Restaurant: Jasper's Voyage in Three Parts

The Traveling Restaurant: Jasper's Voyage in Three Parts
by Barbara Else
Gecko, 2012. 295 pgs. Fantasy

Jasper Ludlow is an unremarkable young man, smallish, mousy brown hair, described by others as being ten years old and "apparently not very bright." Actually, Jasper is quite bright and is actually twelve years old, though his mother insists he is ten--has been for two years, in fact. When Lady Gall, the provisional monarch of Fontania decides to crown herself the true queen, things go terribly wrong for Jasper's family. For starters, Lady Gall tries to poison Jasper's little sister Sibilla. Then when the family flees the scene, Jasper accidentally gets left behind. Luckily he manages to get aboard The Traveling Restaurant, captained by Dr. Rocket and a younger woman in green boots named Polly. Jasper's adventures trying to find Sibilla and his parents, and to save everyone from the wicked potential queen are charming, original, and filled (as much as is possible) with forbidden magic. Jasper is one of the finest young men you will ever meet in the pages of a book, though he doesn't think much of himself, one of his many charms. Delightful reading for the 4-6 grade crowd.

Comments

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

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Review: The Factory

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