Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we've joined forces with The Children's Book Review to bring front and center a FABULOUSLY FUN and EDUtaining series from Penguin Workshop! It's a two-fer kind of post with me reviewing BOTH titles, and let me just say that I am more than excited to share them. For those with more time on their hands right now thanks to self quarantine efforts, or for those parents looking for some way to put the FUN back in your kid's home school activities, this is a two book (thus far!) series you don't want to miss. Ready? Set? Keep your pencil at hand because this story is only missing one thing at the moment and that's YOU!
Mightier Than the Sword
by
Drew Callander & Alana Harrison
Illustrated by
Ryan Andrews and YOU!
9780593093641
Penguin Workshop
About the book...
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.
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When it says the book pulls you in, it is SO not kidding!
Right from the start it is made clear that YOU will have a starring role to play in this story. I'd liken it to the old school choose-your-own-adventure novels...with a modern twist! Here, you are in charge of the story. You decide what creature comes to your rescue. You think up the mode of transportation that is going to get you from point A to point B. You even take care of your lack of footwear problem...which was an unfortunate incident that left you that way, but hey...it COULD have been worse! You wield the power with your other self in this other world and all in solidarity with your pencil in hand...you DO have your pencil at the ready, right? Because seriously, without it you might be little less than burnt toast! Anywho...
Aside from the massive power surge at your fingertips, you make good friends along the way, grow to understand the power of words and creativity, and...oh yeah, have to face down Queen Rulette and her minions, if you want to win the day, nay save Astorya from erasure for good! But don't worry, you've got this...and if you have half as much confidence as your other world self, you'll be just fine...hopefully...more than likely...in all probabilty...hey, I know! Let's get to book 2, shall we? *ahem*
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The Edge of the Word
Mightier Than the Sword, Book 2
by
Drew Callander & Alana Harrison
Illustrated by
Ryan Andrews and YOU!
9781524785109
Penguin Workshop
About the book...
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.
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This sequel picks up just after you've saved the day and the kingdom of Astorya...good thing to since you wrote it into existance, right? Or wait, you will if you ever get back home and remember who you are and send the Original back in time to create the land you are currently in...and I'm getting myself lost and ahead of myself at the same time. Oye! Back on track...
Where book one was educational and punny, book two is equally so! What? I didn't mention that in my notes up there? *scrolls up* Okay, so I didn't, but it doesn't make it any less true. Readers will be so lost (in a good way!) in the story, they'll never know that they are building their vocabulary, branching out into other languages, studying up on language arts, and building a repertoire of puns that will rival that of the punniest person on earth! (If you know who that is, than read these and out pun them this instant!) The mad lib type add ins, the drawing interludes, they all work together to insert you in the story once again (which shouldn't be a surprise since you are the star after all!), and make it a memorable journey from start to book finish!
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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).
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About the illustrators...
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.
Then there is you...but you know all about you, right? So, I'm not going to spell it out for everyone here. We'll just let you bask in the glow of your greatest and share your story as you see fit. 😉
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Enter for a chance to win a Mightier Than the Sword prize pack!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
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 (3) winners receive:
A paperback copy of Mightier Than the Sword
A hardcover copy of Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the Word
Five (5) winners receive:
A paperback copy of Mightier Than the Sword
The giveaway begins November 16, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends December 16, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the Penguin Workshop team for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to heck out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun...
TOUR SCHEDULE
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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