Books Inc. Kids's blog

 

A rediscovered classic from 60s, Pickle-Chiffon Pie is that rare beast, a completely silly picture book with fantastic illustrations and an important message.  Jolly Roger Bradfield has created his own fairytale world complete with a princess, several princes, a quest, and an enchanted forest. 

When the princess can’t decide which prince to marry, her father sends them on a quest into the enchanted forest to bring back the most wonderful thing they can find.  A fairly standard premise turns wacky with the addition of four-wheeled Dimdoozles, lions juggling root beer cans, sixteen-footed Gazoos, mice painting Picassos, Three-nosed Snozzles, and of course, Pickle-Chiffon pie.  The book, while silly and fun, also shows the importance of, as Bradfield puts it, “kindness and love and consideration for others…truly THE MOST WONDERFUL THING OF ALL.”

Also check out Bradfield's Pickle-Chiffon Pie Olympics!

for ages 4-8

- reviewed by Anna from Books Inc. Chestnut Street

It’s been out in England for several years, but Scholastic just released the whole four volume Predator Cities Quartet at the end of May. This first book is spiffing adventure in the vein of Flash Gordon serials or the original Star Wars films. It’s a post apocalyptic/steampunk romp through the ruined remains of Europe. The cities that remain are all on wheels, moving around the continent looking for smaller cities to devour in what they like to call Municipal Darwinism. After London’s greatest historian hero brings back something awful and mysterious from the War, Apprentice Historian third class Tom Natsworthy and his companion Hester Shaw traverse Europe trying to get back to London and figure out what is going on. Ages 10+

--Reviewed by Steven from Books Inc. Palo Alto!