Henry Herz (1)

It all starts with a penny and ends with a...penny. Wait, what? That seems a bit simple and yet it makes for a fun romp through the pages.

It seems our imp is nothing if not practical and while his train of thought seems sound...coin bag for the penny, shovel to bury it, pebble to mark it...it all eventually leads to mischievous little acts that seem to follow him...sweep up the dirt, the broom catches fire, replace the broom, irritate the cat. Basically, we can boil down our experiences to a show more quick guide. Brownies like to tidy while imps prefer mischief, so don't get suckered in if one comes callin'! If you keep your cool, you'll be rewarded handsomely...and gain a friend for life. Umm...about that last bit. Be brave, be bold...have a tight hold on your purse strings, thank him kindly, but send him on his way. Your house and cat will thank you.

All in all, another grand adventure through the pages of a Picture Book with something MORE. Speaking of that something "more", the illustrations that give it that BOOST must be remarked upon. They are certainly as charming and devious as the story, allowing the fairy tale aspect to be seen but also the sneaky nature of our friend and his new victim...I mean, human acquaintance. A great balance is achieved between sight and word, giving readers something to entice the mind and eye equally.


**ecopy received for review show less

Now THIS is the nursery rhyme book Fantasy fans and players of role games have been WAITING for. Each page is a full color spread of fantasy illustrations that could have come straight from a Tolkien movie or D&D card deck. They're dark and creepy, earthy and base in their hungers (we're talking trolls eating elves, nothing more), all while playing with the rhymes we already know and love. The end result? Some come out just as sweet and some...a bit sinister.

Take the first, 'Hefty Jack show more Horner'....needless to say, a play off of 'Little Jack Horner' and recited to the very same tune. Let's just say, what he pulls out of his pie is NOT a plum, nor a very happy moment for those that helped MAKE it. *gulp* Then there's 'Eensy Weensy Brownie'...sang to the tune of 'Eensy Weensy Spider'. I mean really, if his mischievous grin wasn't enough to give away his mission, the outcome of the rhyme surely does...and with flair! Hey, it's not everyone that can match 'palisade' with 'dissuade' and make it work! On the sinister side of things would be 'Manticore, Manticore'...read to the tune of 'Pussycat, Pussycat'. Umm, well the pictures are scary enough by themselves but the ease at which he recounts his activities while in Persia leads me to believe someone else didn't enjoy the visit quite so much.

All in all, there is much fun to be had within these pages and I do believe it will find a home on shelves with little ones as well as those Fantasy fans that simply couldn't help themselves.


**ecopy received for review show less

{My Thoughts} – Forget everything you know about the classic nursery rhymes and then read this book. This book puts a spin on the classic rhymes replacing characters with monsters and mythical creatures. I enjoyed reading it because it was slightly on the entertaining side and it flowed freely. The pictures within the pages match the words of the book perfectly.

The one thing I didn’t like is how close the rhymes were to the original ones. When I was reading it, it had become apparent show more that the rhymes had slight variations from the originals and I know that often happens in retellings. I only wish that the author had diverted more from the original rhymes and wrote more his own words and thoughts on the pages. I do realize that he had received help writing it from his children and they did well with their imput, but like I said I wish it would have been slightly more different then what it had been.

Aside from that, the book was wonderful. I think that children will easily enjoy it and that it could possibly become a bedtime favorite for many. show less

Mabel is an expert at not going to sleep. She’s needs to pee, wants a drink of water, get’s tangled in the covers, etc. So her mom tells her the Fae queen will only come once Mabel closes her eyes. She waits until Mabel settles in bed and then, in the Fae queen’s voice, she tells Mabel all about how she travels the world bringing dreams to children.

I really enjoyed all the imagery in this book – the Fae queen’s coach was crafted by a beetle! If she travels about your knees as you show more sleep, then you dream you are dancing! Those are just two examples and plenty more are told simply in this children’s bedtime story book. The final page has some lines from Shakespeare and I always like little touches like this because they stand the chance of planting a seed – in this case, one that will blossom into a love of Shakespeare.

The illustrations are beautiful and some are rather detailed. I especially liked the ones showing other kids and what they dream of. I also loved the illustration of the beetle working away at making a fairy coach. The Fae queen does put in an appearance and I was not disappointed!

I received a copy of this book at no cost from the authors in exchange for an honest review. show less