I could see the movie animation in my head as I read HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM. Funny, smart, action-packed, and engaging, I have a feeling this book is going to be a huge hit!
Synopsis: (from publisher)
Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You've never heard of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy bards who wrote the tales, you likely know them only as Prince Charming. But all of this is about to change. Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. Now it's up to them to triumph over their various shortcomings, take on trolls, bandits, dragons, witches, and other assorted terrors, and become the heroes no one ever thought they could be.
Debut author Christopher Healy takes us on a journey with four imperfect princes and their four improbable princesses, all of whom are trying to become perfect heroes—a fast-paced, funny, and fresh introduction to a world where everything, even our classic fairy tales, is not at all what it seems.
Christopher Healy does an amazing job creating this world, and the characters in it, right down to the plumage on their hats and the weapons in their belts. The images he creates are so vivid, kids will find themselves swept up in this crazy adventure.
I loved this motley crew of princes, flaws and all! It's like Band of Brothers for the middle grade set. Their flaws become their assets as they work together to save their respective kingdoms from the evil witch Zabuera. Only, it's not as easy as the fairy tales make it seem! They have some (several) hiccoughs on their path toward heroism, and find themselves in unlikely (hilarious) predicaments.
Don't throw stones at me for generalizing, but the girls have had their fair share of princess stories, princess movies, princess costumes - you get the idea. Do you have a boy that loves to read adventure stories? This one's for them! Ever since HERO'S GUIDE came into my house, I've had to hide it from my 9 year old. (Hands Off my book, kid!) I think he's expecting an anti-princess story, instead of a pro-princes story, but I think he's going to enjoy it all the same.
The guys don't have ALL the fun, though. Girl readers will be happy to know that there is at least one very strong female amongst the cast of characters. Not all princesses are interested in tea parties and croquet - they have adventures all their own! (The mom in me is also happy to see strong female characters in "boy books").
Unfortunately, the advanced readers' copy I read did not include many of the wonderful illustrations by Todd. Stop by one of the other blogs, or go to the Walden Pond Press website for a peek at them!
Already one of my favorite Middle Grade books for 2012, THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM is a must-read!
PS Author Christopher Healy is from New Jersey!!!!
Book Extras:
Christopher Healy website, Twitter, Facebook
Harper Collins Book page
Author on Tour: Here and Here
Sample the AUDIO
Official BLOG TOUR page
About the Book:
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Christopher Healy spent years reviewing children's books and media online and in print before setting off to write The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, his first children's book. He lives with his wife and their two children in New Jersey.
*Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher
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