Gregory Rogers (1957–2013)

I'm really into wordless picture books lately. At first I didn't like them, but I think that was because they require a different kind of reading that I'm only just getting the hang of.

This one is about a boy who wanders into a theater and is magically transported back to Elizabethan London where he pisses off Shakespeare and spends the rest of the book on the run from him. It's got a comic book look to it and because there are no words parts of the story are sort of open to interpretation, show more which I think is pretty neat. show less

A young boy kicks a soccer ball into an abandoned building. As he goes to retrieve it, he magically ends up on stage at the famous Globe Theatre, interrupting the Bard's play. Shakespeare is furious, and chases the boy throughout London. As the chase goes on, the boy frees a chained bear, as well as a baron who was sentenced to execution. They even meet Queen Elizabeth. Finally the boy makes it back to the theater and returns to his own time.

RESPONSE: The idea of Shakespeare as a villain is show more quite hilarious because he is considered one of the greatest cultural figures in English history. That aside, the artwork in this book matches the quirky chaos of the story, and also has a lot of historical detail. For example, the shops on London bridge or the heads on pikes outside the Tower. I love this book, and think anyone would love the story. However, I think a student a little older and able understand the Elizabethan era references would be better able to appreciate the book.

THEMES/CONCEPTS: Elizabethan era England, Shakespeare, drama history, adventure, friendship show less

So I have never gotten into graphic novels, but this graphic novel/picture book was great. I want to go a museum and get lost in some art like I got lost in this story. Fun!

What a magical adventure story this is – can’t wait until my grandsons are a little older so they can read this. Yes the main character is a girl – but boys will love it too! Tommy (aka Thomasina) is stuck in the kitchen peeling potatoes and other horrible kitchen jobs. She sneaks off as often as she can to watch the knights train in the courtyard, practicing the moves with her potato peeler and broom. After thwarting a bully she scores a job looking after the castle swords – it show more might not be knight training – but is pretty close to it. Now she just has to keep her job and it takes a little magic and some special friends to help her stay. There are some wonderful characters in this story and a few surprises as well; even better is that there are more Tommy adventures to follow. I grabbed this title from a summary of children’s fiction titles that were reviewed for the inaugural AWW Reading Challenge in 2012. I have others in that summary on my list for the 2013 challenge and THE SECRET OF THE SWORDS has set a high bar. Recommended for middle primary school and adults who love children’s stories. show less