King Flashypants and the Creature from Crong

February 15, 2018
A young king can't stand by when a monster terrorizes a neighboring country...but adventures can be dangerous.King Edwin Flashypants is just 9, so he still administers his country, Edwinland, with the help of Minister Jill (who has some less-than-yummy ideas about vegetables) and Megan the Jester (who shares Edwin's love of candy). When a hermit named Baxter comes running into the village (seemingly wearing only a beard), Edwin learns the many-eyed Voolith is attacking the people of Crong, which is situated north of neighboring Nurbisonia. Something must be done! Meanwhile, the wicked Emperor Nurbison of Nurbisonia is enjoying the influx of new subjects fleeing the Voolith. Nurbison hatches the kind of dastardly, evil plan he's famous for (in his own mind, at least) to rid himself of Edwin and gain control of everything. Can the many candy shops of Edwinland be preserved? Riley's second King Flashypants tale of folderol and foolishness is as much fun as the first (think Monty Python and the Holy Grail for 7-year-olds), with a bit of poo-humor thrown in for giggles. The author's cartoon illustrations combine with occasional trickery of typesetting to hit the right mix of deadpan and slapstick. Minister Jill and Baxter appear to have dark skin, while the rest of the primary characters are pale; background characters are diverse.The setup for Volume 3 at the close means more medieval mischief on the way; cue further chortles. (Humor. 7-10)

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March 1, 2018

Gr 2-4-Hilarious adventures abound in the second book of the series. King Edwin Flashypants, who is still just a nine-year-old boy, and his subjects are trying to curb their penchant for sweets by eating the recommended 50 vegetables a day. When King Edwin hears that a monster called the Voolith is terrorizing the people in the Wilderness of Crong, he vows to beat the Voolith in single combat. This opens the door for his former nemesis, Emperor Nurbison, to try once again to take over his kingdom. This book begs to be read aloud. Zany plot twists and goofy dialogue will keep young readers laughing and engaged. The larger typeface and ample white space make it a comfortable read for newly independent or even reluctant readers. Black-and-white illustrations on almost every page highlight the action of the story. VERDICT Purchase where the first book circulates or where chapter book shelves are in need of a humorous new series.-V. Lynn Christiansen, Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, NC

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