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Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Right now, we could all use delightful books to read. I read this awhile ago, but, Impossible Creatures tops the scale, for delightful. Mind you, our protagonists are running - and swimming, and rowing, and flying - for their lives, throughout; in and out of harrowing danger at every turn; surviving by their wits, lightning decisions, etc.
The plot is truly marvelous! The world building steals the show, however, and the actual impossible creatures could not be more wonderful. There are lethal and entitled humming bird sized dragons; Sphinx millennia old with sketchy ideas about obligation not to eat humans; unicorns; anti-unicorns called karkaadann who enjoy killing as a team sport; kraken (ship swallowing variety) and angelic, nearly helpless griffins. Other characters are also deftly drawn and fully developed, not least, the villain. His wickedness is implacable.
Our protagonists discover they each have an assigned, magical selfhood and thus, reluctantly - it has to be said - embark upon an impossible quest against this terrifying foe. They become protective of each other and that quality helps them to be heroes. If you – or young patrons – are looking for delightful escapism, this is it.
Its sequel The Poisoned King – which I am currently devouring – published this September.
Middle Grade Fiction pr7633531
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Go Sloth Go! by Gabrielle Prendergast | Illus. by Sophie Benmouyal
Car alarms are really, really annoying. Today, as I was working, a car alarm went off for at least five minutes. (I just deleted a few MORE sentences about how much I hate car alarms.) The point being, Go, Sloth, Go! to the rescue! I need to purchase this book for libraries I have the privilege of purchasing picture books for. I didn’t really need to reread the book to make purchasing decisions, but I did anyway. Reading it literally made me feel better (car alarm still going, mind you). Tense shoulders? Relaxed… Frowny face? Smiling… Silent frustration?... Laughing out loud.
At three words per page, mimicking the pattern of the title, this simple, simple narrative, never the less, tells an action packed and – yes – laugh-out-loud story. I have been told by smarter people than myself, that changing one word, in a simple sentence like this, is a good way to teach small children about language. Also noteworthy, illustrations of the sloth’s face in this story convey a wide variety of emotions, very well. Were the sloth an actor, they would be Academy Award worthy. There is much more to say about this brilliant, Canadian book. I’ll leave it at, bravo, Sloth, bravo!
Picture Book pr7892049
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Under Attack by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Reading a book about an ongoing war feels awful. The fact that there are kids – right now – suffering what these characters are suffering makes it hard to sleep, while you’re reading this book. It’s not easy to read, but equally, death and horrible details are dealt with in measured ways. A young reader should be able to cope. Also, the protagonist has a sweet little dog that adds levity. The kids are resourceful, strong, and clever. There is a “happy ending” to this first book, although challenges and the ongoing war remain. Facts are provided at the end of the book as well as ways readers can help.
700,000 children have been taken from Ukraine to Russia. At the time of publication, only 300 had been recovered.
Middle Grade Fiction pr7633542