Original and smart. Like the other reviewer I found the artwork a little disturbing and I think that as a small child I would have found it very scary. ( )

This is a picture story book and a "learn how to play chess book" at the same time. Cardo makes up a fictitious reason why chess was invented and then explained the game to the ones requesting it. The explanations of the pieces, both in war and in the game, make the reader/student really understand and remember the strengths and weaknesses of each piece. Every move of chess is explained, via the story, including en passant and castling. The description of en passant was a little weak and might be confusing to someone who did not previously understand this move, but the illustration helps the slightly confusing explanation. this book would be a great introduction to a child just learning to play chess and to the more experienced chess player I think it will change your view of the chessboard and pieces. A very creative book in content and purpose.

The only thing I really did not like is the illustrations. They were weird and almost bizarre at times. I did not care for them even though artistically they are probably considered brilliant. For little children, some pictures might even seem scary. The book would have been better with more traditional looking characters. It was the pictures that kept me from giving this book a 5th star. ( )