I am sure most parents would agree, there is an enormous selection of chapter books for young readers on the market these days. We’ve all bought some great books and some not so great books for our kids.
I was recently sent 3 new illustrated chapter books from HarperCollins. All 3 books are well written, have beautiful illustrations and great stories.
The books we received are: The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon, Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars by Constance Lombardo and The Magical Animal Agency: The Enchanted Egg by Kallie George.
{The Doldrums}
My daughter and I have just started reading The Doldrums. This book starts by explaining the background of the main character, Archer B. Helmsley. We really enjoyed all the beautiful illustrations on the first few pages.
Synopsis:
Archer B. Helmsley wants an adventure. No, he needs an adventure. His grandparents were famous explorers . . . until they got stuck on an iceberg. Now Archer’s mother barely lets him out of the house. As if that would stop a true Helmsley. Archer enlists Adelaide—the girl who, according to rumor, lost her leg to a crocodile—and Oliver—the boy next door—to help him rescue his grandparents. The Doldrumswhisks us off on an adventure full of sly humor, incredible detail, and enormous heart.
My daughter and I look forward to reading more of The Doldrums every night. To read a sample of this book click here.
{Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars}
My daughter and I are major cat lovers. We can’t wait to start this book to read the adventures of Mr Puffball. The illustrations in this book are fabulous.
Synopsis:
He’s a hero for today. Or possibly tomorrow. He’s a cat. He’s awesome. And . . . wait for it . . . he’s going to Hollywood to become a famous movie star! Follow Mr. Puffball on his trip cross-country. (Look at all the postcards to Mom!) See him stumble upon Hobowood! (Not as glamorous as Hollywood, but full of beans.) Watch him land at last in Hollywood, where he meets a cast of thousands (or at least half a dozen) and catapults himself into the next best thing to being a famous movie star: working as a stunt cat to his movie star hero, El Gato!
My daughter and I are reading Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars as soon as we are done The Doldrums.
To read a sample of this book click here.
{Magical Animal Adoption Agency: The Enchanted Egg}
My daughter and I were anxiously waiting the second book in the Magical Animal Adoption Agency. We enjoyed the first book in the series, Clover’s Luck so much. This book did not disappoint. It was filled with mystery, interesting new characters and more wonderful magical animals!
Synopsis:
There’s a new resident at the Magical Animal Adoption Agency-but this one hasn’t hatched yet! Mr. Jams brought home an enchanted egg from his last journey, and Clover can’t wait to find out what kind of creature the polka-dotted shell contains.
But one morning when Clover checks on the cozy nest of feathers she’s made for the egg, she finds it empty, and the baby animal is nowhere in sight! Clover is anxious to find the creature, but the Agency is full of visitors looking for pets of their own. Will Clover be able to match them with their perfect companions and save the mysterious animal before Mr. Jams returns from his trip?
All three books are suitable for kids aged 8-12. They are well written, have beautiful illustrations and will capture your child’s imagination.
These books are now available at a bookstore near you and online.
{Free Downloadable Activites and More!}
To learn more about Harper Collins children’s books check out the Harper Collins Classroom. Here you’ll find great resources including free downloadable activities for many books.
{Giveaway!}
The team at HarperCollins wants your child to enjoy The Doldrums, The Enchanted Egg and Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars. They are giving away a prize pack including all three books!
To enter, tell me which of the three books your child would probably like the most and why. Then fill out the Rafflecopter form below. You can enter this giveaway everyday! Giveaway runs from Nov 20 to Nov 30th, 2015. Giveaway open to Canadian residents. Mandatory question must be answered to be eligible to win.
I missed the giveaway, but thank you for the book reviews! I really think my kids would like these! 🙂
My little would love The Doldrums, adventure is right up his alley right now!
Mr.Puffball based on the title alone! Though I can’t wait to get my hands on The Doldrums.
Isn’t the title SO great Lisa? My daughter is reading this book on her own right now.
I think DD would start with the Magical Animal Adoption Agency since she’s pretty much obsessed with unicorns.
My younger sister would like Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars because it looks funny!
My kids would like the {The Doldrums} because they are colorful.
My granddaughter would like the Magical Animal Adoption Agency: The Enchanted Egg
My daughter would probably be most excited to read The Doldrums. Her favourite books are about characters going on adventures.
I think my son would like the humour in the Doldrums.
I would love to win this gift pack for my children. The illustrations look so inviting to encourage them to keep on going in their reading. Thanks so much
I think the Doldrums would be the fave. Nice pictures and an interesting story line! 🙂
My son would love Mr. Puffball : Stuntcat to the Stars- he’s crazy about cats! We have to tell him a cat story every night at bedtime.
My daughter would love to read the Doldrums, she’s all about adventure!
My daughter is the perfect level for these
Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars because he loves cats and it looks funny
My daughter would love Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars because she loves cats!!!
I think our son would like Mr. Puffball best – it seems very very silly!
My kids would like Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars because they love to read books about animals.
I think Mr. Puffballs Stunt Cat to the Stars would be really enjoyed by my niece who loves cats.
probably The Doldrums due to there being some adventure
I’d definitely say Magical Animal Adoption Agency: The Enchanted Egg because she loves both animals and magic. Perfect combination.
My youngest would love Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars, because he’s doing silly stuff, and that would make her interested!
Forgot to say why. I think that the pictures in this book will attract her and make her want to read this one first.
I think that my granddaughter would like The Doldrums the most but she’s proved me wrong before 🙂
Mr. Puffball, Stunt Cat to the Stars would be a hit with my kitty loving granddaughter
Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars looks like a book my kids would love.
I think my daughter would like The Doldrums
being a cat lover, my niece would enjoy Mr. Puffball.
Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars sounds like a book my kids would like. I think they would enjoy the adventures of Mr.Puffball.
my bookworm daughter would love them all but think she would read..Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars first.
My grandson would love reading the Doldrums. It is full of adventure and with great pictures too, it will keep ihm reading.
I think my son would love the Magical Animal Adoption Agency: The Enchanted Egg because he’s really into mystery novels.
I think my daughter would like Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars, she is a cat lover.