Have you ever come cross a book that is as entertaining as a video game for kids and that even a reluctant reader would find it hard to put down? Well, I've read not one, but two books that fit that description, and can't wait to share them with you. They are: Mightier Than the Sword and its sequel Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the Word, middle grade novels by Drew Callander and Alana Harrison. Please read on for more information about the series and enter to win a fun prize pack from the authors!
My Review
I've read quite a few interative books for children in recent years, but still the Mightier Than the Sword series impresses me like none other. From the very beginning, the books put the reader at the center of the stories by experimenting with the second person narrative, which is much less frequently used in novels than the first person and third person. In the first chapters in book one, the authors spend quite some time convincing the reader that he or she is indeed the main character of the story. As the real human in the fictional world of Astorya, the reader has the superpower to add anything to the story with paper and a pencil, which can be far more powerful than the sword in the story.
By blurring the boundary between the reader and the character, and between a real human and a fictional figure, the authors fully engage the reader in the story, as the onlooker "you" grows more concerned about the fate and feelings of the narrator "you". With the goal of getting back to the human world, you are forced to take on a series of crazy adventures,trying to rescue Prince S. from the evil teenager Queen Rulette. The rescue mission starts off with just you and a friendly stout with a French accent, and ends up with an amazing team consisting of members armed with special skills and peculiar personalities. You become so attached to your new friends that you have to miss the hard-earned opportunity to leave Astorya after defeating the villians.
Book two picks up where book one ends. Now that you have decided to stay, you are faced with the new challenge of hiding the original Original story in the safest place possible to prevent it from being altered by any bad guy that may emerge in the future. You and your team thus embark on a new adventurous journey to the Other Side of Astorya, occupied by malicious monsters and mayhem. This time, you have to deal with some really tough dilemma before you can claim victory.
Both books are fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with unexpected twists and turns. The stories are exhilarating and hilarious, featuring a bunch of fantastical characters brought to life through their appearance, words, behavior, and interaction with one another. I love that the main character "you" grows and learns as the story progresses. You transform from a relunctant and passive participant in the mission into an active and responsible leader. You gain courage, wisdom, creativity and problem-solving skills through the unearthly adventures. You also know better about friendship, kindness, independence and teamwork along the way.
The interactive features of the books make them more like a novel and an activity book rolled into one. They blend in the stories a good variety of fun games, such as language art and writing exercises, word scramble, mazes, puzzles, drawings and crosswords. The reader brushes up on their academic skills while enjoying being a contributor to the stories. The illustrations are funny and creative too. For instance, some letters and words are printed in unconventional ways to show action, as if they were animated.
What's also worth mentioning are the funny footnotes in both books. To me, they provide a venue for the writers to communicate with the reader. The footnotes not only provide explanations for some difficult words and terms in the text, but also offer witty comments on certain situations and relate them to the real world in a humorous tone.
I'm impressed with how well the authors keep encouraging the reader to get inside the story without changing the course of action. They cleverly craft the story to allow for considerable creativity from the reader but never risk undermining the intactness and smoothness of their storytelling. Although equipped with the superpower, you have to respond to unpredictable circumstances, come up with creative solutions, go through trial and error and learn from your mistakes.
Thanks to the unique professional background of the authors, the Mightier Than the Sword series is highly entertaining and educational at the same time. I look forward to seeing more books from the series and I'm prepared to be surprised by more innovative tricks of storytelling from the authors.
About the Books:
Mightier Than the Sword
Written by Drew Callander and Alana Harrison
Illustrated by Ryan Andrews (and YOU!)
Wildly funny and inventive, this interactive book pulls you, the reader, into the action. Yes, YOU!
You wake up in the fictional land of Astorya, where stories from our world come to life. You’re a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil, you have the power to create: what you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!
Only you can rescue Prince S. from the evil Queen Rulette. Aided by the Couriers–a French stoat with dangerous dance moves, a giant dung beetle, a fire ninja, a Pegasus-centaur-cowgirl and a super-intelligent femalien chameleon—you must write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure and prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 978-0593093641
Order your copy on Amazon or Bookshop
Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the Word
Written by Drew Callander and Alana Harrison
Illustrated by Ryan Andrews (and YOU!)
The exciting follow-up to Mightier Than the Sword, the humorous and fantastical interactive middle-grade novel which needs you, the reader, to get in on the action!
The second book set in Astorya places you back in the driver’s seat. You’re a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil, you have the power to create. What you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!
With Queen Rulette gone, and Astorya returning to normal, you decide to journey to Astorya’s Other Side, a place of monsters and mayhem, to hide the original Original forever. Surely nothing bad could happen to Astorya’s precious document there, right? But when the plan goes awry and digital doppelgangers are unleashed on the world, once again only you can save the day.
Write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure story that is unique to every reader! And, most importantly, prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 978-1524785109
Order you copy on Amazon or Bookshop
About the Authors:
Alana Harrison and Drew Callander have spent their lives telling stories and cracking jokes. Alana graduated from The College of William and Mary with a degree in Comedic Writing and Performance. Drew graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Fiction Writing. Together they have created cartoons and short films with Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, John Oliver, and Kristen Schaal. Their work as writers and improv comedians has aired on Sirius XM Radio, NBC, and Comedy Central. Mightier Than the Sword is their first book series. They live with their two kids and one exquisitely talented cat (none of whom help with the dishes).
Website | Facebook | Instagram
About the Illustrator:
Ryan Andrews lives in the Japanese countryside, with his wife, two kids, and their dog, Lucky. A friendly Kodama or two have been known to take up residence in the giant acorn tree that shades the house. Ryan often works at his drawing desk in the early-morning hours, to the sound of rummaging wild boar and badgers, who come from the surrounding forest seeking out shiitake mushrooms and fallen chestnuts.
One lucky grand prize winner will receive a Mightier Than the Sword prize pack!
It includes:
- A hardcover copy of Mightier Than the Sword
- A hardcover copy of Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the Word
- A paperback copy of Mightier Than the Sword
- A personalized video message from Manteau—the lovable French stoat
Three first prize winners will each receive a paperback copy of Mightier Than the Sword and a hardcover copy of Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the Word!
Five additional winners will each receive a paperback copy of Mightier Than the Sword!
Giveaway ends 12/16. Open to US 13+ only. Please enter using the form below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveawayDisclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with The Children's Book Review, Drew Callander, and Alana Harrison. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
Posts
0 Treasure Hunters :
Post a Comment