Tolkien, J.R.R. Roverandom. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1995.
Plot: A dog named Rover gets changed into a toy by a wizard. In attempt to regain his normal dog form, he meets a sand wizard, travels to the moon, discovers where dreams are made, and confronts the wizard in the palace of the sea king.
Genre: Animals, Toys, Fantasy, Fiction
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Similar Titles: The Hobbit, Father Christmas Letters, The Velevateen Rabbit
Personal Thoughts: The story behind the story is amazing. Apparently, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote the story to console his son after the boy lost his favorite toy, a black and white dog, at the beach. Also, the story hints at some elements, such as dragons and wizards, that would later become a defining characteristic of Tolkien's works (most notably, The Hobbit), so the book gathers interest from a historical standpoint. The copy I managed to get also has watercolors made by Tolkien himself to go with the story. Colored plates raised the price of the book, but they are well worth it.
Just wanted to check in and let you know you are off to a great start with the blog entries.
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