A compelling adventure for young or sensitive readers. Adding to the story’s charm are Cole’s pencil illustrations, softly depicting the small animals’ bravery in a huge, unpredictable world. A sweet, satisfying adventure.
Fantasies wrapped around the secret, almost human world of woodland animals are eaten up by young readers. Throw another fantastical animal into the mix-a dragon-and there are sure to be plenty more kids who will buy in.
A compelling adventure for young or sensitive readers. Adding to the story’s charm are Cole’s pencil illustrations, softly depicting the small animals’ bravery in a huge, unpredictable world. A sweet, satisfying adventure.
Detailed pencil drawings enhance and enrich the simple text. An enjoyable read-aloud or easy middle grade selection for readers of gentle nature fantasy.” — School Library Journal
“A compelling adventure for young or sensitive readers. Adding to the story’s charm are Cole’s pencil illustrations, softly depicting the small animals’ bravery in a huge, unpredictable world. A sweet, satisfying adventure.” — Booklist
“Cole’s pencil drawings appear on almost every spread, earnest, immediate, and expressive. Animal fantasy adventure with a gentle feel.” — Kirkus Reviews
PRAISE FOR BRAMBLEHEART: “Cole’s black-and-white pencil drawings are earnest yet emotionally sharp. Nestled in a small trim size, this is an appealing and accessible genre blend.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Fantasies wrapped around the secret, almost human world of woodland animals are eaten up by young readers. Throw another fantastical animal into the mix-a dragon-and there are sure to be plenty more kids who will buy in.” — ALA Booklist
“Twig is what all heroes - large and small - should be: charming, courageous, and kind. Delightful!” — Lisa Fiedler, Author of The Mouseheart Trilogy and Stage-Struck
05/01/2017
Gr 3–6—In this slim sequel to Brambleheart, Cole picks up the adventures of young chipmunk Twig, his rabbit friend Lily, and their nemesis-turned-accomplice Basil the weasel right where they left off, sailing out to sea in a found boat. On a mission to return lost baby dragon Char to his family, the young animals cheerfully leave everything they know behind, braving unknown creatures, high seas, and, finally, shipwreck with resourceful optimism. Exposition and character development are almost nonexistent, and readers who skipped Brambleheart may find themselves a little out of sorts. However, Cole's writing is actually more suited to straightforward adventure, and this sequel is a fun and fast-moving, if not deep, read. Detailed pencil drawings enhance and enrich the simple text. VERDICT An enjoyable read-aloud or easy middle grade selection for readers of gentle nature fantasy.—Katya Schapiro, Brooklyn Public Library
2017-03-06
Three woodland animals take a journey to bring a baby dragon back to his home.When Twig, a chipmunk, left home with his adopted baby dragon and found a ship-in-a-bottle that could be reassembled outside the bottle (Brambleheart: A Story About Finding Treasure and the Unexpected Magic of Friendship, 2016), he set off bravely for parts unknown. Now Twig, his best friend, Lily (a rabbit), and their enemy-inexplicably-turned-friend, Basil (a weasel), are sailing down a river, trying to bring baby dragon Char back to his home—with no hint where that may be. Fragile Char's susceptible to hunger and cold; he understands when the animals talk to him, but he doesn't reply, not even when he revives after eating fish that Lily catches by weaving a net. The adventure goes from river to open ocean to island. They find Char's family and an old enemy finds them, clarifying (grimly) an emotionally confusing event from Brambleheart. Dangers are all overcome, either with ingenuity and teamwork or with help in the form of a beaver, a sea turtle, or an adult dragon appearing exactly when needed. Cole's pencil drawings appear on almost every spread, earnest, immediate, and expressive. They help with storytelling, as when readers can discern that a mysterious, ship-blocking wall is a beaver dam several pages before the text says so. Animal fantasy adventure with a gentle feel. (Fantasy. 6-10)
