Kevin O'Malley, illustrations by Kevin O'Malley, Carol Heyer, and Scott Goto Walker Childrens Fiction, CH Fantasy/Humor/Picture Book Themes: Fairy Tales, Twists ***+
Description
Once upon a time, a beautiful princess's beautiful ponies were being kidnapped by an evil meanie giant. Then a cool dude on a motorcycle showed up to
save the day - or did he? When a brother and sister attempt to write a fairy tale together, things quickly get out of hand.
Review
Another quick read during downtime at work, this has a fun concept. The girl's story starts out sickeningly sappy, the boy's tale counters with swords
and volcanoes, but they manage to find common ground somewhere in the middle, learning that cooperation is more fun than competition. It wasn't bad, but
the wrap-up lacked punch.
When nefarious space pirates strike the planet of Jurassica, the world's president knows just who to call: none other than the legendary Captain Raptor!
Aboard the Megatooth, Raptor and his intrepid crew set off in hot pursuit of the enemy - but space is dangerous and the pirates are clever. Is
this the end for Captain Raptor?
Review
We had more down time at work today due to mechanical issues (a "gremlin break", as I call it), so I read this to pass the time. Just like the cover and
title promise, this is a fun mash-up of genres, like Dinotopia meets Buck Rogers, in a wild space adventure with danger, mystery, and
treachery on every page. The illustrations, with a graphic novel's layout and a serial's grandiosity - frequently asking "Is this the end for Captain
Raptor?" before a turn of the page reveals his fate -, are detailed and spark the imagination, especially for the target audience: kids with a sense of
wonder and fun, who gleefully play with their Jurassic Park toys and Transformers action figures at the same time (not giving a dang whether it's canon or
logically plausible, so long as adventure is had, so sit down and shut up, you buzzkill adults poking holes in the game). It made for an enjoyable
diversion.
