Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (dodgeball battles, peril, children physically fighting with an adult).
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Treeheart is a wonderful kid built/kid run/kid protected fort - high in a tree where kids can happily be children - eating candy, playing games, making noise . But a neighbor, Grindle, hates children, he hates that they play near his house, he wants them gone. Grindle has the power to magic the children into teenagers, and he conquers Treeheart. King Roger needs a warrior, and an army to defeat Grindle - he needs Bea Wolf.
I loved Zach Weinersmith's Retelling of Beowulf. The poetic text is reminiscent of the classic - alliterative and descriptive, a gorgeous read aloud rich in text and allusion. A great bedtime story to be read in small chucks. The language is challenging, but each page is mostly Boulet's fantastic and enticing illustrations and the verse is just so much fun to read aloud - the reader is missing out if they aren't vocalizing. Kids trying for an independent read will feel they are reading a classic - the text isn't too difficult for upper elementary or middle school, and I hope they aren't daunted by the big words. It'll be worth it. I loved Bea Wolf, and I think the child's delight in hearing the story lies in the enjoyment their parent or teacher has in the sharing. The characters are multicultural children, Grindle is an adult.
Lisa Librarian
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