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The sequel, The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (from which the art above comes), was released this past April, so we pre-ordered a copy from our favorite bookstore, and IF I HAD A DIME for every time the girls asked if the book was there yet<\/em> … I tried to pace our reading of this second book, once it finally arrived, but a lot of good that did. It was equally entertaining, and we were done in no time flat. <\/p>\n The books contain cover and interior drawings from Todd Harris<\/a><\/strong>, who evidently works mostly in video game art and D&D<\/a><\/strong><\/em>. (I see he was interviewed here<\/a><\/strong> fairly recently and that we share a favorite character<\/a><\/strong>, whose name is Duncan.) <\/p>\n These books are about fairy tale princes and princesses, yes, but when it comes to the latter, if you’re expecting some passive princesses, idly standing by and batting their eyelashes at the men, think again. (Case in point: Princess Ella in action<\/a><\/strong>.) <\/p>\n Prince Liam, Prince Frederic (pictured below), Prince Duncan, and Prince Gustav<\/a><\/strong> are, respectively, the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White<\/a><\/strong>, and Rapunzel (also pictured below), but they’re suffering a bit of an identity crisis. <\/p>\n Why the identity crises? Well, the bards in their kingdoms aren’t exactly stellar at their jobs and they are hardly keen on details (they always get the stories wrong in their laugh-outloud odes), and as a result, the princes are all known as simply “Prince Charming.” Here’s one of the lousy bards — from the first book, I believe. (Sadly, I don’t have a copy of that one on hand now.)<\/p>\n In the first book, each prince is shunned in one way or another by his princess and cast out of his castle. They set out to save their kingdoms after an evil plot involving Zaubera (the witch from Rapunzel’s story) is revealed, but it’s clear they’re also out to save their names and restore their pride. <\/p>\n In the second book, the gang reunites, given that the petulant Briar Rose has kidnapped Prince Liam, not to mention she has her sights squarely set on the Sword of Erinthia, which was stolen by power-hungry 11-year-old bandit Deeb Rauber (one of the series’ funniest, most obnoxious characters). <\/p>\n And here’s the thing: These books work so well, because Healy is such a clever, quick-witted writer, who likes to surprise you, but the books at their center have a big ol’ throbbing heart. You’ll see reviewers refer to the books as action-packed and slapstick and hilarious and such, which they are, but it’s the book’s heart and characters (who seem to be growing in complexity in the second book) that grab you. <\/p>\n But, don’t get me wrong, the humor is delicious, too. There’s a horse named Papa Scoots Jr.; trolls who refer to the ineffective bards (with names like Pennyfeather the Mellifluous) as “Itty-Bitty-Guitar Men”; unconscious clowns; a very funny messenger, named Smimf; a Jeopardous Jade Djinn Gem; a Prince Charming (but which one?) who has an irrational hatred of capes; dwarves, who care passionately about proper grammar; a Gray Phantom; heroes with no sense of direction on exciting stealth missions; and much, much more. Author Frank Cottrell Boyce<\/a><\/strong> has evidently written about these books, “This is the most fun you can have short of rounding up King Arthur\u2019s knights, filling their armor with laughing gas, and driving them to a roller disco.” <\/p>\n That about covers it. <\/p>\n Here’s a bit more art from Todd. <\/p>\n All art is copyright \u00a9 2012 and 2013 by Todd Harris. Illustrations reproduced by permission of the publisher, Walden Pond Press, an imprint of HarperCollins, New York.<\/em><\/p>\n Note for any new readers: 7-Imp\u2019s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome. <\/p>\n 1)<\/strong><\/font> The ALA annual conference<\/a><\/strong> is this week in Chicago! It’ll be my first ALA conference. <\/p>\n 2)<\/strong><\/font> I’m especially excited about this preconference event<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n 3)<\/strong><\/font> I think great read-alouds like the Hero’s Guide<\/em> books are kicky. <\/p>\n 4)<\/strong><\/font> I’ve always been a Letterman fan.<\/a><\/strong> You gotta love that car, too. <\/p>\n 5)<\/strong><\/font> This week, I got to meet author\/illustrator Sergio Ruzzier<\/a><\/strong> and his lovely girlfriend, who were in the Nashville neck of the woods. That should be kick #1. I wish I’d thought to get my camera out. I’m bad about that. <\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/heros-guide-2-high-res1z.jpg\")
I first read about The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by Christopher Healy<\/a><\/strong> (who also writes here<\/a><\/strong> about “children’s pop culture from a grown-up perspective”), a book released in 2012 by Walden Pond Press, here<\/a><\/strong> at the Horn Book’s<\/em> site. I thought it might be the kind of book my girls would like, and I wanted a good read-aloud. So, I found it at the library, and … well, we were done with it in days. It’s some mighty fine entertainment, this book. <\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Heros-Guide-Galley-Cover11.jpg\")
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The unicorn also wore a gown.”<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n
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With great poise and flawless stepping, the pair weaved their way
through the other dancers.”<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n
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