Lego Ninjago, Masters of Spinjitsu # 4: Tomb of the Fangpyre

Beware the t-shirt ninja dragon!

Farshtey, Greg. Lego Ninjago, Masters of Spinjitsu #4: Tomb of the Fangpyre. New York : Papercutz, 2012.

Plot: At the request of their sensei, the four ninja masters of Spinjitsu seek the legendary Serpent Stones. As expected, they face multiple trials in recovering the relics. The worst danger, however, may come from the truth of the stones themselves.

Genre: Comics, Adventure, Toys

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Lego Ninjago Encyclopedia, Indiana Jones Omnibus

Personal Thoughts: While this is not the first toy-based media I reviewed, it is the first to commit a simple, avoidable fault. It tells instead of shows. Comics have the unique opportunity to show action and story aspects beyond most texts. Unfortunately, this particular item frequently describes events instead of utilizing graphics. In all fairness, though, the story itself utilizes over-the-top creativity and contains an impressive plot twist. Still, a focus on action instead of "he says" moments could result in more effective storytelling.

It's a Magical World

Watterson, Bill. It's a Magical World. Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel, 1996.

Plot: The last book of Calvin and Hobbes comics, the collection includes classic storylines and excellent endings to the series. This particular volume includes arcs such as Susie's visit to Calvin's house, Calvin's adventures in leaf collecting, and the finale of Rosline verses Calvin. The book provides an amusing read and a found farewell to Calvin and Hobbes' fans.

Genre: Comic Books

Reading Level: All ages, but more enjoyable for someone with a large vocabulary

Similar Titles: Peanuts, Foxtrot

Personal Thoughts: It's amazing how one comic still finds so much popularity fourteen years after its final publication. The title still finds multiple buyers online and in bookstores. Yet, it makes sense. True, readers, particularly older readers (why are you looking at me?) tend to glorify the comics, noting philosophical or imaginative thoughts as an echo of the wonders of childhood. Yet, kids enjoy it, too, because Calvin acts like the kid people would like to be if they could get away with it. Calvin is super-smart, but does poorly in school, gets into trouble, and stresses his parents. The toy tiger also has his share of fans, since he combines natural wisdom and animal instincts. Hobbes provides more knowledge than most of Calvin's perceptions, but never fails to tackle Calvin on his way home. The story of a kid and his stuffed toy tiger captures the wonder, craziness, and frustrations of being a kid.


As a side note: We have photographic confirmation of the blog author. She has not been seen since King of the Wind. Approach with caution.

The Indian in the Cupboard

Banks, Lynne Reid. The Indian in the Cupboard. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980.

Plot: Omri does not especially care for his brother's birthday gift. The gift, found in a rubbish heap in an alley, is a white, mirrored cupboard. Still, he likes playing with plastic figures, so he places a small Indian in the cupboard and locks it with a key of his mother's. When he opens the cupboard the next day, he is shocked to discover the toy has become a tiny, real, live Indian. While Omri treasures his discovery, the world of full-sized people is no place for a toy-sized one. Such a world becomes more complicated when Patrick, Omri's best friend, uses the cupboard on a plastic cowboy...

Genre: Fantasy

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Return of the Indian in the Cupboard, The Borrowers, James and the Giant Peach

Personal Thoughts: I was really surprised by the positive response I got from this title at work (I read during my breaks). Apparently, both tween boys and tween girls enjoy the novel. I am also a little surprised, given the stress on political correctness, that the book continues to gain favor. Granted, the book is (in my opinion) not racist, but it seems like whenever a question of race arises, books tend to get blacklisted quickly. Anyway, the novel is apparently still used in middle school lessons throughout the country. It provided the basis for a movie in 1995 (with mixed reviews) and launched a series of sequels. 
 

Roverandom

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.