Twizzle Brown and Lenny Sparkle: The Enchanted Forest by Cassie Stafford and Harriet Hue (Children's, Picture book, 10/10E)

June 2013, Blackbird Press, 36 pages, Paperback, Review copy

 

 Themes: bright and varied colourful palette, magical mischief, animals full of character, a naughty wand, forest creatures, making friends, weird things happening, a pleasant wizard, rhyming verses, text not just in straight lines,

Content: lots to laugh about

Summary from Cassie's website

All was quiet, all was still in the Autumn forest over the hill…

An enchanting tale of magic, wonder, new friends and a fabulous tea party!

This story tells the tale of a wizard who appears in a forest late one crisp autumn evening. Tired from his journey he stops to rest. While he sleeps on his earthy bed, his magical wand falls out of his cloak and onto the forest floor. Sparks begin to fly around the quiet wood bringing everything they touch to life.

Nayuleska's thoughts

This is a keeper! The story is simple yet engaging and phrased in an enetertaining way. The illustrations compliment the story and provide plenty of imaginative thoughts for the reader. I loved how such a variety of animals end up perching on the wizard's beard and in his clothes, the squirrel looks a bit demented, the bunny is cute, the whorls on the trees makes them seem as if they have faces, so much is soft and fuzzy looking it fits the vibrant and  happy feeling of the story.

You can find out more on Cassie's website  and Harriet's website.

Suggested read

For another forest adventure (without magic but full of sweet moments) try Wanda and the Alien by Sue Hendra (Children's, Picture book, 10/10)