The Singing Rock & Other Brand-New Fairy Tales

(Hardback)

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Description

A genie just wants a chance to grant a wish to the frog who accidentally let him out of his lamp-meanwhile, the frog just wants to be left alone. A witch is tormented by the cheerful (and awful) singing of a persistent bard, but when she finally snaps and turns him into a rock, he just keeps on singing-somehow the power of terrible music overcomes all magic. A wizard wants a pet. An ogre just wants to make beautiful art. Four original, wry, and utterly charming fairy tales comprise this new collection for young readers. With deft, lively text from Nathaniel Lachenmeyer and eye-popping, painterly art by Simini Blocker, The Singing Rock is the perfect read for kids who love a good yarn-and good comics!

Reviews

These wry and charming tales of the power of persistence will delight readers with lively text and expressive art. It's a great addition to elementary and middle school graphic collections. --School Library Journal

There's a buoyant vibrancy to Blocker's digital art, with a bold palette and paneling that compels the story forward with energy and verve, and the draftsmanship and style recall LeUyen Pham's work. --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

A cute and welcome addition to the fairy-tale genre that will have young readers laughing with delight at the misadventures of all of the charming characters. --Booklist

Blocker's illustrations enhance the absurdist nature of Lachenmeyer's stories, and her expert control of facial expression and body language add a layer of slapstick, which heightens the collection's comedic sensibility.... These fairy tales are sure to entertain. --Publishers Weekly

Lachenmeyer freely borrows familiar folkloric elements, subjecting them to mildly comical twists...Alert readers will find the implicit morals: know your audience, mostly, but also never underestimate the power of rock music. --Kirkus

"The Singing Rock & Other Brand-New Fairy Tales makes with the magic this summer.... You can't use adjectives like 'brand-new' and not deliver, so it's a good thing writer, Nathaniel Lachenmeyer, and artist, Simini Blocker, do.... Just in time for summer, it's a quick read but one where the fun doesn't have to stop with the last page." --Comiccon

This book is wonderful! I can easily say I'm ready for more -- another book with more stories! Yes, it's a kids' book, but if you like fairy tales, you'll enjoy the humor of these new ones, plus the lovely art!--Sequential Tart

Simini Blocker's witty, observant illustrations, all done in bright jewel tones, help to make this romp for readers ages 5 to 9 a droll delight. --The Wall Street Journal

Author Bio

Nathaniel Lachenmeyer is an award-winning author of books for children and adults. Nathaniel's children's books include Broken Beaks, The Origami Master, and Octopus Escapes! He has a lifelong love of fairy tales. nathaniellachenmeyer.com Simini Blocker has worked on several middle-grade and YA titles, including Almost Midnight, and the My So-Called Superpowers series. When not illustrating, she loves experimenting with embroidery, traveling as much as possible, and collecting too many stationary supplies. siminiblocker.com