Skip to main content

The Land of Roar

Image
By


 

The Land of Roar
By Jenny McLachlan
Illustrated by Ben Mantle
Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2020. 284 p.

Arthur and Rose are twins who used to be close—but now they tend to fight and Rose doesn’t have much time for her brother. When one day Grandad gets lost in the imaginary world that Arthur and Rose created when they were younger but aren’t sure they believe in anymore—Arthur decides he must believe enough to go on to save him even if Rose thinks he is just making things up.

This is a fantastical story about the power of imagination, friendship, siblings, and what is most important in life. Arthur Trout is one of those fumbling but lovable characters that readers will cheer on until he starts to believe in himself. (Rose on the other hand is one that I struggled liking until she started opening up to Arthur about why she made the choices she did; however, I did eventually like her though Arthur will always be the main character I love in this story.) Oh, and Grandad! Although he wasn’t in the book all that much, he is a character that readers will wish was part of their own lives. This is one of those stories about how growing up doesn’t always mean giving up favorite parts of childhood—or your love for ninja-magicians, mermaids, or dragons!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Painting for Peace in Ferguson

By
Painting for Peace in Ferguson By Carol Swartout Klein Treehouse Publishing Group, 2015. Nonfiction. When the city of Ferguson was overrun with so much hate and despair that homes and businesses had to be boarded up to protect property, citizens of the community decided to bring a message of hope by painting the boarded windows. Klein’s rhyming text supports the photographs of the hundreds of artists and volunteers and their artwork as they bring the messages of peace, hope, love, and that by being united they can make a difference. A great book to show children how a community rallied to make a positive change and that even a small gesture can make a huge difference. A great discussion opener on how we should treat each other.
Post a Comment
Read more

Dragon Run

By
Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews Scholastic, 2013.  336 pgs.  Fantasy      Al Pilgrommor is excited for Testing Day, when he will receive his rank, a tattooed number on the back of his neck, and a path forward to his future occupation and life.  He feels confident because his parents were fours on a scale of seven, but he is worried for his friend Wisp who doesn't have much of a chance of scoring above a two at best. But when Al is scored a zero, he not only has no prospects, he may lose his life as the dreaded Cullers are unleashed to kill him and his family to purify the land's bloodlines.  Al's world is ruled by dragons--the lords and supposed creators of humankind--so he thinks that even if he survives, he will have to make his living as a beggar or thief. But when Al sticks up for his Earther friend in front of Magister Ludi, he is drawn into the struggle of a secret organization hoping to destroy the Cullers, and perhaps the dragons them...
1 comment
Read more

From Story Time: Summer Week 5

By
  Stories in the Park Mousterpiece: A Mouse-Sized Guide to Modern Art By Jane Breskin Zalben New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2012. Picture Book. Janson the mouse, who lives in a museum, becomes an acclaimed artist by copying the styles of paintings she sees there. Includes notes about the artists and works featured. --Editor Stories in the Park Gray Written by Laura Dockrill Illustrated by Lauren Child Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. Some days you may feel sunshine yellow or orange-balloon bright. Other days you're gray, or even night-sky black-like a dark scribble on a page, a storm in the clouds, or a puddle in the road. Gray is when you don't feel like yourself, or like you don't belong. But however you feel, there are big hugs (red) and loving lullabies (blue) waiting, and even the grayest sidewalk is a canvas for you to fill with the colors you choose. A tender narration from British spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill and subtle, spare artwork from fo...
Post a Comment
Read more