Pre-order a copy of the book: The Familiars

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

“Archimedes did it in the bathtub, we do it in the shower”

Andrew Jacobson & Adam Jay Epstein

ADAM JAY EPSTEIN spent his childhood in Great Neck, New York, while ANDREW JACOBSON grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but the two met in a parking garage out in Los Angeles. They have been writing for film and television together ever since. The Familiars  is their first book.

One day, Adam asked Andrew, “Are you familiar with what a familiar is?” And from that simple question, Vastia was born, a fantastical world filled with the authors’ shared love of animals and magic. They wrote every word, sentence, and page together, sitting opposite each other.

Adam Jay Epstein lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jane, their daughters, Penny and Olive, and a black-and-white alley cat who hangs out in their backyard. Andrew Jacobson lives with his wife, Ashley, and their dog, Elvis, four traffic lights away.

THE FAMILIARS will be produced for film by Sam Raimi and Sony Animation.

When faced with the blank computer screen, why is it that sometimes the light goes on in our heads with the proverbial “aha” moment, and other times it’s nothing but tumbleweed? Archimedes, the Greek mathematician and inventor, is said to have shouted “Eureka” upon jumping out of his bathtub after discovering how to calculate whether or not his king’s crown was really pure gold: by measuring how much water it displaces. Thousands of years later, the exclamation can be applied to Einstein’s theory of relativity, Newton discovering gravity, or M. Night Shymalan coming up with the twist ending of The Sixth Sense. The question is, can we train our brains to be more open to these Eureka moments, or is that simply a neurological impossibility?

If you want your own Eureka moment, whatever you do, don’t be actively looking for it. Like a lonely single desperately searching for a mate, oft times the best chance of finding someone is by not looking at all. You can spend all day sitting in front of your computer or a pad of paper struggling to find a great idea, but nine times out of ten the real inspiration will hit you when you’re in the shower or right before you fall asleep.

Here are three techniques that we use to come up with ideas.

1. Keep a notebook next to your bed, in the car, and in the bathroom. This is the Holy Trinity. The three places where inspiration strikes with the greatest frequency and often the best results. Whether you’re starting to doze or just zoning out in mid-day traffic, it seems like these moments of Zen are some of the most consistent idea incubators we’ve come across.

2. Take a walk. This is one of our favorite times to think. Like John Adams or Benjamin Franklin taking their morning Constitutional, there’s something about being outside at peace with nature that allows great ideas to flourish. If you are feeling mentally stagnant, a nice long walk can do wonders for getting the creative juices flowing.

3. Take a shower. We’re serious. It’s like your very own Fortress of Solitude. All your pain and problems go away for those ten minutes, and just maybe, you walk out with your next book idea.

You can learn more about “The Familiars” at www.thefamiliars.com. And if you want to see all 12 Techniques we use to generate Ideas, stop by our blog, thefamiliars.blogspot.com.

Pre-order a copy of the book: The Familiars

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Whether it be the fairytale or romantic stigma that often surrounds princess characters, or the strength that these Damsels exude after overcoming various different hardships, children—especially girls—are drawn to stories about princesses. Heck, even I love a good “Prince Charming” story every once in a while. However, when looking for a book with some royal flare, it’s easy to fall to the stories we know so well: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and The Little Mermaid—which, while we’re at it, are considered by many as a right-of-passage for any young girl.

In my quest to find new and original stories with a good princess feel—less boy-meets-girl and more strength and self-discovery—the following books really struck a chord with me; each for their own reasons.

Princess and Fairy

by Anna Pignataro

Reading level: Ages 4-7

Hardcover: 24 pages

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 8, 2009)

Source: Publisher

What to expect: Rhyme, Rabbits, Parties

Light and airy and deliciously entertaining. From an intricate envelope that opens to reveal a mini sized invitation from the Queen, to a list of presents that Princess and Fairy must look for and find in the pages of delightfuly-fancy illustrations, readers are captivated to the very end.

Add this book to your collection: Princess and Fairy

The Very Little Princess

by Marion Dane Bauer

Reading level: Ages 6-9

Hardcover: 128 pages

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 23, 2010)

Source of book: Publisher

What to expect: Dolls, Mothers and daughters, Grandmothers

First of all, Marion Dane Bauer is a Newbery Honor-winning author. Second of all, this book reads like a book you’ve read over-and-over, even from the very first time you pick it up. The over-all story is one of loss—Zoe, a 10-year-old, visits her grandmother for the first time and discovers that her mother is leaving her to live there indefinitely—however, Bauer has intertwined a magical story of friendship between Zoe and a “princess” doll who comes to life, softening the loss and highlighting the importance of family.

A Junior Library Guild Selection.

Add this book to your collection: The Very Little Princess

The Secret Lives of Princesses

by Philippe Lechermeier (Author), Rebecca Dautremer (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 7+

Hardcover: 88 pages

Publisher: Sterling (June 1, 2010)

Source of book: Publisher

What to expect: Princesses galore!

Holy princess! The illustrations in this book are so rich and mind-absorbing! This is a book for sophisticated princess-lovers—and those that enjoy individualism. From the less familiar to the unknown, The Secret Lives of Princesses offers a refreshing perspective on royal life. A beautiful book and a delectable read.

Visit www.secretlivesofprincesses.com

Giveaway: Enter to win a copy!

Add this book to your collection: The Secret Lives of Princesses

Two Moon Princess

by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 324 pages

Publisher: Tanglewood Press (June 16, 2010)

Source of book: Publicist

What to expect: Time and space, gender role, California

Time travel, history, romance, and a whole lot of independence that leads to a wonderful journey of self-discovery.

Visit the author at www.carmenferreiroesteban.com

Add this book to your collection: Two Moon Princess

Be sure to also look at these books, too:

Princess Hyacinth by Florence Parry Heide

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch

Leave us a comment: What is your favorite princess book with a twist?

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Magickeepers: The Pyramid of Souls

by Erica Kirov

Reading level: Ages 9+

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (May 1, 2010)

What to expect: Magic, Magicians, Good and evil, Family, Edgar Allan Poe, Las Vegas

Just like book one in the Magickeepers series, book two, Magickeepers: The Pyramid of Souls, manages to capture readers right from the gold embossed, razzle-dazzle cover. And, just like in the first book of the series, book two maintained the alluring super-natural power that the Magickeepers beholds. If you missed book one, I recommend starting from the beginning; however, you could certainly pick up the series with book 2 and not skip a beat.

After uprooting and moving to the Las Vegas Winter Palace where the world-famous Damian puts on the greatest magic show on earth, Nick, a teenage boy,  is beginning to adjust to his new and completely different lifestyle—that is until the Pyramid of Souls, the most closely guarded secret in the magician community, is stolen. Then his life, once again, becomes a jumbled mix of magic, danger, self-doubt, destiny, and an added touch of dive-bombing ravens. Using a modern city like Las Vegas as the setting for the book, and tossing in some pizza and skateboarding, Erica Kirov has very intelligently created a base in which she can grasp her middle school audience and still manage to keep them engaged when she blends in historilcal figures; such as, Alexander the Great, Edgar Allen Poe, and P.T. Barnum. Selecting Las Vegas as the backdrop makes for a very believable read.

Another vonderful novel!

About the Author: Erica Kirov is an American writer of Russian descent. Though she is not from a family of magicians, she is from a proud family of Russians, and she grew up hearing stories of their lives there.

Erica lives in Virginia with her husband, four children, three dogs, parrot, her son’s snake (she really hates snakes), and a pet hedgehog. She is busy at work on the next Magickeepers novel.She also writes on http://teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com as well as her parenting blog, http://demonbabyandme.blogspot.com/.

Add this book to your collection: Magickeepers: The Pyramid of Souls

Add book one to your collection: Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Alice in Verse: The Lost Rhymes of Wonderland

by J.T. Holden (Author), Andrew Johnson (Illustrator)

Reading Level: Ages 10 and up

Hardcover: 112 pages

Publisher: Candleshoe Books; 1st edition edition (January 11, 2010)

Source of book: Publisher

What to expect: Alice in Wonderland characters, Verse, Riddles

I couldn’t resist writing a review of this book, for many reasons: Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland is currently showing in theatres. The entire book is written in verse, which makes it a good choice for National Poetry Month. And … who doesn’t want to know who it was that really stole the Queen of Hearts tarts?

J.T Holden has adeptly re-imagined the characters from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. As a young boy, Holden was made aware of a rumour that some of Carroll’s rhymes—rhymes that had not made it into the original books—had been lost. These ‘lost rhymes’ are the inspiration behind Alice in Verse: The Lost Rhymes of Wonderland; a compilation of masterful, original poetry. While adding new and interesting elements, Holden has managed to keep the timeless appeal from the original works, allowing true fans to insatiably dig in.

From the absurdity of the verse to the well composed rhyme to the shrewd black-and-white illustrations, this book is certainly a literature lover’s delight.

Add this book to your collection: Alice in Verse: The Lost Rhymes of Wonderland

You may also like: More Alice in Wonderland Books

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

The Squirrel’s Birthday and Other Parties

by Toon Tellegen (Author), Jessica Ahlberg (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 5-8

Hardcover: 156 pages

Publisher: Boxer Books (November 3, 2009)

Source of book: Publisher

What to expect: Birthdays, Animals, Friendship

This is a unique collection of 9 stories that I consider to be sweetly abstract—after reading this book, you would not be surprised to discover that the author, Toon Tellegen, is from Amsterdam (if you catch my drift). Each story reads like a delirious-but-interconnected dream—the kind that you would happily remember upon waking. It’s Squirrel’s birthday and he’s inviting all of the animals to his party—even a whale. Squirrels party, and the other subsequent animal parties and meetings, give an introspective offering of life and friendship. The illustrations, which are by Jessica Ahlberg, are delicate, interesting, and a charming expression of the text. I don’t expect that this is a book everyone will “get,” however, those who enjoy being lost in thought (and those who enjoy eating cake) will undoubtedly take pleasure in this absurdly, thoughtful book.

An excerpt from The Whale and the Seagull—the 6th story in the collection:

They straightened their backs and the whale rested a fin on the seagull’s shoulder, while the seagull draped a wing around the whale’s middle.

Then they danced, silently and seriously, on the moon-drenched beach, to the sound of the slow surf. Everyone held their breath and thought: “No one has ever danced like this before.”

Add this book to your collection: The Squirrel’s Birthday and Other Parties

You may also like: The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Star Wars is everywhere: t-shirts, Legos, figurines, table sets, bedding, posters … the list goes on … babies are dressed-up as Yoda for Halloween, and 4-year-old kids (sometimes younger, often older) are waving their pretend light sabers in a pretend battle in the yard at preschool. The commercialization of Star Wars can not be escaped; sooner or later your kids are going to ask that all important question, “Can I watch Star Wars?”

Now comes the hard part: how old should your kids be before you let them watch the movie? There are so many things to consider, including: violence and adult concepts. Some parents say 10-years-old, others are more lenient with 8- or even 6-years-old. No matter what you decide is right for your family—I do recommend reading this article by Daniel Donahoo, Geek Dad—reading some Star Wars books may be a good way to delay a viewing of the movies; it will also allow for some thoughtful discussions on good vs. bad, before the onslaught of the visual impact.

Here is a list of books and their synopsis’, starting at the youngest reader and ending in books for older readers:

Star Wars: Spaceships

Reading level: Ages 1-5

Board book: 12 pages

Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Brdbk edition (September 1, 2009)

Publisher’s synopsis: A perfect introduction to the Star Wars universe, this board book features the names and images of the most iconic spaceships coupled with simple text, as the Millennium Falcon, TIE Fighters, and X-Wings blast across outer space.

Designed for the young Jedi-in-training, Star Wars: Spaceships will take children to a galaxy far, far away…into an epic story that was a defining moment for many of today’s parents.

The Force is strong with this book.

Add this book to your collection: Star Wars: Spaceships

Star Wars: Heroes

Reading level: Ages 1-5

Board book: 12 pages

Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Brdbk edition (January 1, 2010) COMING SOON!

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: A perfect introduction to the legendary Star Wars characters, this board book features the names and images of the most popular heroes coupled with simple text, as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo fight to save outer space.

Designed for the young Jedi-in-training, Star Wars: Heroes will take children to a galaxy far, far away…into the Star Wars story that was a defining moment for many of today’s parents.

Add this book to your collection: Star Wars: Heroes

Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy

by Matthew Reinhart

Reading level: Ages 4-10

Hardcover: 6 pages

Publisher: Orchard Books; Pop edition (October 15, 2007)

Source: Book Store

Publisher’s synopsis: Sabuda and Reinhart Studios have created another spectacular pop-up book for George Lucas’s epic STAR WARS movies! Bestselling pop-up artist and engineer Matthew Reinhart has designed a thirtieth anniversary commemorative edition that comes packed with a variety of novelty features — pop-ups, working light sabers, pull tabs, and other interactive looks at the exciting and popular movies. This beautiful book will impress all fans of STAR WARS and gives a whole new perspective to the films.

MATTHEW REINHART is a renowned paper engineer and bona fide STARS WARS aficionado. He has worked with Robert Sabuda on many wonderful pop-up titles such as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, A B C Disney, Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs, and Movable Mother Goose. He also created Mommy? by Maurice Sendak, The Pop-Up Book of Nightmares, and The Pop-Up Book of Phobias. He lives in New York City.

Add this book to your collection: Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy

Luke Skywalker’s Amazing Story

Reading level: Ages 5-8

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: DK Publishing (December 1, 2008)

Source: Book Store

Publisher’s synopsis: With these new classic Star Wars(r) Readers, children learn about the fantastic Jedi Knights, rogue Rebels, heroic allies, and evil Sith Lords that are loved by several generations.

From his humble upbringing on Tatooine to his Jedi training with Obi-Wan and Yoda, follow Luke Skywalker as he grows from boy to man to Jedi Knight.

(c) 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. (r) & TM

Add this book to your collection: Luke Skywalker’s Amazing Story

R2-D2 and Friends

Reading level: Ages 6-8

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: DK Publishing (December 1, 2008)

Source: Book Store

Publisher’s synopsis: R2-D2, C-3P0, and other droids, large and small, come to life in this classic  Star Wars(r) reader.

(c) 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. (r) & TM

The Story of Darth Vader

by Catherine Saunders

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 48 pages

Publisher: DK CHILDREN (February 18, 2008)

Source: Book Store

Publisher’s synopsis: More thrilling Star Wars episodes for young readers! Kids can continue their discovery of the fantastic Jedi knights, rogue rebels, heroic allies, and evil Sith lords that were loved by their parents’ generation, while strengthening their reading skills at the same time.

Discover how a promising young Jedi turned to the Dark Side and became the most feared Sith lord in the galaxy.

Add this book to your collection: The Story of Darth Vader

Lego Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary

by Simon Beecroft

Reading level: Ages 7+

Hardcover: 96 pages

Publisher: DK Publishing; Har/Toy edition (September 21, 2009)

Source: Book Store

Publisher’s synopsis: In true DK style, LEGO® Star Wars™: The Visual Dictionary elucidates, illuminates, and excites even the most discerning LEGO Group, Star Wars™, and minifigure fans around the world.. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, and more are brought to life with dozens of little-known facts and hundreds of photos, as are accessories, vehicles, weapons, and even the Death Star! Learn about the history, manufacture, and construction of the minifigures of the Star Wars galaxy, and come away a LEGO® Jedi Master.

LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick configuration and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2009 The LEGO Group. © 2009 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Production by Dorling Kindersley under license from the LEGO Group.

Add this book to your collection: Lego Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary

Star Wars: Rebel Force: Target (Book 1)

by Alex Wheeler

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Mass Market Paperback: 176 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (January 1, 2009)

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: It is a critical moment in the struggle between the Rebels and the Empire: the Force itself hangs in the balance, and all the hopes of the galaxy depend on the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and a host of other heroes.

Add this book to your collection: Star Wars: Rebel Force: Target (Book 1)

Also in this series: Hostage (Book 2), Renegade (Book 3), Firefight (Book 4), and coming soon … Book 5.

A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker

by Ryder Windham

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 224 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (September 1, 2009)

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: Hidden away at birth, he would believe himself an orphan.

Watched over by a mysterious hermit, he would discover incredible abilities.

And by finding hope where others found only evil, he would restore balance to the galaxy.

This is the incredible story of Luke Skywalker, as told by New York Times bestselling author Ryder Windham.

Add this book to your collection: A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker

The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader

by Ryder Windham

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Scholastic (December 7, 2007)

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: The full story of Anakin Skywalker, from his birth in slavery to his death as the powerful Darth Vader … told for the first time in its entirety by NYT bestselling Star Wars author Ryder Windham. Spanning all six Star Wars movie and including the pieces of the story that fill in the gaps, this novel will be a must-have for any Star Wars fan.

Add this book to your collection: The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

The Children’s Book Review presents a guest post by Steven Hornby, author of Secrets of a Christmas Box. Hornby is a multi award winning animator—I’m sure you’ve seen some of his work in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘King Kong’, and ‘Kung Fu Panda’—who has created a truly original Christmas novel that brilliantly showcases his creative mind. This year we selected ‘Secrets of a Christmas Box’ as one of the Best Christmas Kids Books of the year.

I was sat down outside a cafe, enjoying a warm late-afternoon Cafe Late, looking out over the lake in Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand. With it being late June, and the middle of winter in New Zealand, I noticed the snow on top of the mountains across the water from me, usually a brilliant white, now glowed with a warm peach color just as the sun settled behind the opposing hillside.

As darkness crept over the lake, several trees alongside the cafe were suddenly illuminated by Christmas fairy lights that littered their trunks and branches. The path of lights had been twisted orderly up and around the trunk of each tree, like candy cane stripes.

I thought, ‘WOW!’, what a beautiful site. Although it was the middle of the year, the early dusk and the chilly calm evening, made it feel almost Christmas-like. As I sat there admiring the lights’ glow, I thought how lucky they were to be out at this time of the year; that they had escaped from being packed away into a box in an attic or garage somewhere, until the following Christmas. It was then I thought how wonderful it would be, if unknown to us, they could be somehow alive.  What if they could see everything going on around them? When they were switched off at night, they could hold onto some of their electric charge and jump out from their sockets and have adventures on the streets of Queenstown, while the town slept. But then I thought, who would they share their stories with? I thought back to the Christmas tree, a tree FULL of ornaments, each with unique characterful personalities. The world of the Christmas ‘Tree-Dwellers’ had begun to evolve in my head.

Although ‘Secrets of a Christmas Box’ is my first novel, I was fortunate enough to apply elements from my experience in the film industry to the story and characters. To animate a character well in a shot for a movie, I need to have the complete back story to that character, which includes his personality, and a map of his character arc throughout the story. This allows me to put myself in the character’s shoes before animating, much the same as a writer does when writing about a character.

I wanted to create a Christmas fantasy adventure, that grabs the reader’s imagination. A story that takes them on a roller coaster ride and mixes in the important values of family and friends at Christmas time. I also wanted to try to answer some questions I had as a child. For example, I had always wondered why pine needles appear in rooms no one has been in during Christmas time? And, reveal who really rips the small holes in the Christmas presents under the tree?

In ‘Secrets of a Christmas Box’, I explore a fantasy world where the Christmas Tree ornaments, the ‘Tree-Dwellers’, come to life, once the family go to bed. The tree lights are there to protect them all from the unknown dangers outside their world, as they live by the laws of the ‘Tree-Elders’, to keep their world safely away from ours. But as Larry, a Christmas Snowman wakes to find his brother missing from the tree this year, he decides to break the ultimate rule of their society, and escape with friends down the tree and away into the house, to look for his brother. On their dangerous travels, they stumble upon a dark secret, that suggests all is not as well as it seems in their own world. They desperately attempt to make it back to the tree to warn the others, and finally uncover the truth behind the ‘Secrets of a Christmas Box’.

Add this book to your collection: Secrets of a Christmas Box

_{Photo Credit: Hans Ku}

About Steven Hornby

Steven Hornby is a multi award winning animator, bringing stories to life for over 15 years in visual effects and animated movies. Born in Preston, England, he attended Lancaster University for Design Communication for 3 years, which although had nothing to do with animation or telling wonderful stories, introduced him to the world of computer graphics. In 2000, after working on a set of commercials in Europe and Australasia, and his own short film, ‘Zzz Night’, he joined the animation crew on the Academy Award winning ‘The Lord of the Rings’ films in New Zealand, which is where he received a VES Award for his animation on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional character, Gollum.

Since then, he has been busy as a lead animator on ‘I, Robot’ (2004), ‘King Kong’ (2005), Disney’s ‘Meet the Robinson’s’ (2007) and ‘Glago’s Guest’ (2008), and more recently Dreamworks’s ‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008) and ‘How to Train Your Dragon (In Theaters 2010).

This brings us nicely to the present, where after 3 years of writing, he has just completed the children’s fantasy novel, ‘Secrets of a Christmas Box’ to be released in September 2009. He initially planned the book as a screenplay, after spending several years having the story running around in his head, but instead turned it into his first children’s novel.

Aside from the busy hours at Dreamworks Animation, he has already begun work on the sequel to the Christmas novel, and also a new fantasy adventure, “The Mist Catchers”.

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

I’m looking forward to reading this book …

The narration on the video reminds me of Lord of the Rings. Anyone else?

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.