The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories, 1)

Coming from a parent of a 9 year old gifted reader, who is capable of reading very high level literature, but not always ready for the content of such literature, I would like to say I really like this book. Yes you can tell that some of the writing is from a younger/new writer and that it is a bit predictable in some spots, and that some phrases are repeated or used a bit too many times here and there.

I like it for another reason. It has become increasingly difficult for me to find fantasy literature (which my daughter has requested) for my young reader that is at the length of this work, yet something that still stays appropriate for her age level. The books written for 9 year olds she reads way too quickly, and some of the other books that have landed in her hands at school have crossed her comfort zone and given her uneasy feelings and fears at bedtime.

While Goldie Locks does lock lips with Jack from the Beanstalk through some bars, it doesn't seem to cross the line of inappropriateness or go into tons of detail like similar novels may. The "scare factor" which might be a positive for middle school and older children is of no interest to my 4th grade daughter. This book, while it has villains, and even wolves who eat people, tends not to go into extreme gory details like other authors of similar works have. It is mentioned and then moves on instead of dwelling on too much detail. It maybe the lack of details that upsets older readers. But it keeps the scary parts from getting too intense, and the love scenes from becoming too graphic. Like I said, maybe not something an adult or older youth reader might look for, but honestly I find this a great read for my 9 year old advanced reader daughter, and longer read out loud for my 7 year old son.
The week we started this book we also watched "Into the Woods" so it was also fun to see a different spin on some of the same characters.
I read reviews of The Land of Stories, Fablehaven and Storybound before deciding to check out The Land of Stories. The other reviews mentioned seemed to have a bit more twinges of darkness involved in them. Thus we settled on this and am happy with the decision. The kids are enjoying it.

I do not watch Glee, nor am I familiar with the author in anyway other than this book.

great

Love it

My kids loved this book! Loved loved loved! We listened to three of the books in this series on our road trip this summer!

My kids (7,3) enjoy listening to the adventures before bed time. Great addition to Grimm Stories.

My kids (7,3) enjoy listening to the adventures before bed time. Great addition to Grimm Stories.

great book for kids and their parents

Wonderful creative concept, cannot wait to read the rest of the series. Hope it goes on for many books. Author is to be applauded.

I adore children stories and this was wonderful. I like how he changed the personalities of the characters. Very creative.