Zeb and the GreatRuckus by Josh DanellanBook Description: This is a story made from pieces of all the dreams that you had when you were asleep, but then forgot when you woke up.”
Hello! You are reading this in order to determine whether or not this book will be of interest to you ! Well, congratulations, you obviously have fabulous taste! Zeb and the Great Ruckus is a story about magic, music, fireworks, bewilderbeasts, clockwork birds and weaponised toffee. It has some funny bits, some scary bits, some sad bits, and a rather large bit about a cave-dwelling ruttersnarl which we would tell you about but we don’t want to give away the ending. If you like the sounds of any or all of the above, then this is the book for you ! If you would rather read a complete history of European haberdashery, please consult your local book emporium.
My thoughts: A Totally Awesome and Magical Book
This book reminded me of some of my favorite children’s book written for adults – ‘The Three Fat Men’ and ‘Haroun and the Sea of Stories’. The book talks about unjust governments, weird and unfair rules, and the citizens who stand up against wrongs. Yet it is a fun read with laughs in every page. How Josh accomplishes it is part of the magic of the book.
Metaphors and similes are scattered all over this book – in every page, in fact – like pearls in a beautiful ocean, like the stars in the perfect sky! They are musical, magical!
Zeb and his best friend Flip set off on a magical adventure and meet fantastical creatures like Alephs and Bewilderbeasts. Their mission – use the power of love and music to free their land from the tyrannical ruler. They are aided in this by Serena (Zeb’s mom who only talks in rhyme), Mr.Hemingdrake (their teacher), and Smokey (a talented musician and a great friend).
The children are clever, mischievous, and imaginative. I especially love Flip – I think she is my favorite character in this book. The adults (mentioned here) are just the type of adult I would love to be. The illustrations are perfect for the book.
My son is already reading it the second time around by the time I finished it 🙂 and now I am tempted to read it once more, already, and I just put it down. (I actually am reading it again!). I am also going to read the first book by Josh (not a children’s book) and look forward to more from him.
Rating: A+
Reading Level: ages 8 – 99 and above
Reread Level: 5/5
Disclaimer:Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a digital review copy of the book above. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book was in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal opinions formed when I read the book.
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The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (translated by Katherine Woods) So many lists online mention this book that I finally had to read it. I am glad I did. This is a children’s book in that the main character is the little prince and maybe that he has travelled to earth from asteroid B-612.
The beautiful illustrations, the flowing yet simple language (in the English
translation I read), and the size of the book itself lend credence to its being
a children’s book as well. But in all other ways, this is a book for adults to
ponder. Reading it, we can ponder over matters political, religious, moral, emotional, philosophical, and just the state of the world itself in general.
The Little Prince and the narrator both find themselves in the middle of a desert – stranded far away from home. A friendship develops between
them and the prince relates the adventures he has had so far to the narrator.
them and the prince relates the adventures he has had so far to the narrator.
The planets he visited and the people he met there disillusioned him – he finds them very odd. He finally came to earth, where he met – among others – the narrator, a fox, and a snake, all of whom he made friends with.
The friendship between the narrator and the little prince is a short one though since each has to return to their homes. But the narrator learns (and the reader as well) wonderful lessons of life in that short time (in this short book).
I could recognize the people the little prince met in each planet – I have met some people like that as well – and always failed to understand their behavior – like the prince in the book. This has given me a personal connection to the book and am sure to read it many times again. I loved and recognized how the world is viewed through the eyes of a child in the very first chapter when the adults see the drawing of a hat where the child sees an elephant swallowed by a boa constrictor.
Like many others who read this book, I teared up as I read it and learned the lessons of love, friendship, and pain told so sweetly. This quote from the book sums it all up:
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
I started marking out favorite quotes from the book at the beginning and half way through I realized it was most of the book so I stopped. Like it says on its jacket – “There are a few stories which in some way, in some degree, change the world forever for their readers. This is one.”
Rating: A
Reading Level: All ages
Reread Level: 5/5
You can read the book online here and I am going to get myself a hard cover copy of this book soon.
For NaBloPoMo:, where the prompt for today is:
What is your favorite song that gives you energy?
Any peppy dance number instantly gives me energy. There are lots I love – Bollywood songs are my top favorite and some other numbers, a few of which are on my Wii Just Dance, make my list too.
This week at Musing Mondays over at Should Be Reading, the question asked that I picked of many
Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
I am reading a bunch of books (see my last week’s muse on my reading habits). I am going to pick one book for this muse though from my list.
I am reading White Fang by Jack London. I chose it to work on my reading
challenges this year and this book meets many of them, luckily. In addition, I have read this book in comic form as a kid and loved it. I am enjoying the book a lot so far. Jack London’s descriptions and words take you to a completely different word – I love, love, love his imagery. So far, I have not found much that I do not like in the book.
I am reading White Fang by Jack London. I chose it to work on my reading
challenges this year and this book meets many of them, luckily. In addition, I have read this book in comic form as a kid and loved it. I am enjoying the book a lot so far. Jack London’s descriptions and words take you to a completely different word – I love, love, love his imagery. So far, I have not found much that I do not like in the book.
For my Monday kid’s books reviews, the books reviewed here today go towards the weekly meme at Jen and Kellee’s – and What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA
Also participating at Monday Mingle over at Tough Cookie Mommy – This is a place for networking:) So please link up and follow other blogs on this blog hop/linky on Google Friend Connect, Facebook, or Twitter.
For What are you reading? @Book Journey
Completed reading:
Zeb and the Great Ruckus (reviewed today)
The Little Prince (reviewed today)
Following romances which I will review here
Never Trust a Rake by Annie Burrows (digital ARC)
Never Trust a Rake by Annie Burrows (digital ARC)
Currently reading:
Secret of the Nagas by Amish (Personal copy)
Shakespeare on Toast by Ben Crystal (digital RC)
The Fox by D.H.Lawrence (eBook)
White Fang by Jack London (eBook from Gutenberg)
White Fang by Jack London (eBook from Gutenberg)
The Traveling Restaurant by Barbala Else (digital RC)
Following romances which I will review here
The Reluctant Earl by C.J.Chase (digital ARC)
The Reluctant Earl by C.J.Chase (digital ARC)
Next on my list to read:
Saving Each Other by Victoria Jackson and Ali Guthy (review copy from publisher)
Chloe’s Vegan Desserts (digital ARC)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Murder in Mumbai (digital RC)
Checkmate, My Lord by Tracey Devyln(digital ARC)
Saving Each Other by Victoria Jackson and Ali Guthy (review copy from publisher)
Chloe’s Vegan Desserts (digital ARC)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Murder in Mumbai (digital RC)
Checkmate, My Lord by Tracey Devyln(digital ARC)
I love your rating system and your enthusiasm for books! I have to pick up Zeb and the Great Ruckus since it sounds so amazing!
thank you.. you should read it – it is amazing!
I like the first book that you shared! I will have to check it out! Maybe I will give The Little Prince a new look! I loved The Night Circus.
I loved The Little Prince. Glad to see you enjoyed it too. 🙂