Diane Mae Robinson

Sir Princess Petra’s Talent is book two in the Pen Pieyu Adventures and is about a nine year old princess who has worked to become a knight of her kingdom despite the fact that her more conservative parents would rather her be a “proper” princess. In this story the King has written a rule that in order to keep her knighthood she must journey to Talent School and get a certificate in a proper princess talent.

She and her royal steed, the dragon Snarls, set off for Talent School and along the way meet Prince Duce Crablips who has made it his mission to stop her from reaching Talent School. When it is discovered that it is all misunderstanding, fun adventures ensue with the trio going to Talent school and then adventuring their way home again meeting new friends, taking on new challenges and finding out new secrets.

It is simply a delightful read. For starters the artwork on and in the book is simply gorgeous. The story illustrations are pencil sketches with remarkable detail. My son simply gushed about it. He falls asleep with a sketch book in his hands most nights, however in his sketches, that he has made since reading this and the next book, I can see major inspiration in his use of shading and line details from the art in the book. It takes a lot to impress my young man when comes to art. I have to agree with him in this case. Petra and her friends come alive through the artwork.

Smiles abound in this infectious tale where the food of choice for most of the characters seems to be onions as a hand fruit, cooked in many different ways or simply juiced into a cocktail. The names in this series are also quite wonderful. Places like the bogs of Mesoggie and The Kingdom of Lost Donkeys, where the donkeys do indeed seem to have disappeared and names Like Seymour Forest the ganute who does actually live in vast forest and Letgo the crocodile. I did also enjoy the themes of friendship, teamwork and belief in oneself that runs throughout the story.

The book opens with a quick synopsis of book 1 which is fabulous, because that was the one book I wasn’t able to get a copy of for this review. I think it is a wonderful tool for young readers whose comprehension skills are as yet undeveloped to help them back into a world they may read about sometime ago.

This is a fabulous story about who you are and not letting stereotypes define who you could be.

5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (mais)

Sir Princess Petra has been given a mission. According to a new rule her father, the King, has written, she must make a journey to far away land and capture the fabled Car-Panther and bring one back to the kingdom in two days. Should she fail her knighthood and that of her fellow knight Sir Bograt Bog Witch will be forfeit.

Hilariousness ensues as Petra and Snarls journey through the lands of Mesoggie and to the mysterious Kingdom of Boogy Gobees in search of a creature that is rumored to eat dragons and can make the entire Puny Army pale in fear. Once again Petra and her friends find themselves on the funny side of misunderstandings, realizing that one can’t simply jump to conclusions with facts and because the truth of something can be quite different than the rumor. We meet more friends, including carpenters that don’t build with wood. Petra will have to make the decision to complete her mission or do the honorable thing. I do wish Petra would stop being so understanding about the interruptions to her missions, just once frilly dresses would be a suitable punishment.:)

Once again this a terrifically written story with lots of witty dialogue and fun characters. I am certain that kids and their parents will enjoy this book. It is nice to see a princess that can be a role model.… (mais)

I've been trying to improve my writing. Originally, I tried to read "English Grammar and Composition: Complete Course" by John E. Warriner, but I didn't know what they're talking about. So, I looked up grammar books for kids and spotted this one. It had a shiny gold medal and everything, how could I refuse?

I read it, and hopefully the result's are coming clear on your end. The lessons were well-spoken, the sample sentences were fun, and the small grammar tests at the end of every chapter made helpful reminders. I can see a middle-school teacher making this a class-reading assignment. While I would've hated my teacher if she made me read this, being that I read it of my own accord, I can say it was... fun (please, don't tell my teacher I said that). Is it worth a shiny-gold medal? I dunno, but I liked it and thought it was very helpful.

Thank you, Mrs. Robinson.… (mais)

Now, being that this is a series, one might wonder if you have to read the preceding books to be "in the know". In this case, totally unnecessary (but still recommended for the sheer enjoyment of it all!) because the author has taken care of you with a brief overview of both preceding adventures at the beginning of this installment.

It was great to see the familiar faces of Petra, Bograt, Snarls, and both of the royal Longstride's again, though the latter is still confoundedly set in making Petra into the princess they want her to be instead of embracing her uniqueness to its full potential. I love how Petra is not afraid to be who she really is and calls her parents out on their shenanigans time and again. Next up, Snarls! Yes, that lovable dragon with a heart of gold is back and though he may not be able to spit fire on command but he's working on it; in the mean time, he's utilizing his other many talents. Bograt is...well, Bograt. Here and there, onion chomping and wave surfing, not much gets her down and the secrets she keeps are too many to number; good thing she's on our side, right?

All in all, a wonderful adventure through the Kingdom of Pen Pieyu with a spunky group that I'd call friends any day of the week. They each march to their own drummer, leaving an impression you won't soon forget, but that' part of their charm. It reminds us that we can do anything we want to do, be anything we want to be...so long as we choose our words carefully. ^-^ Recommended read for Children's Fiction fans of all ages.


***review copy received in exchange for my honest review...full post can be seen on my site***… (mais)