The Interrupted Tale, by Maryrose Wood: The fourth book of the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series takes us to the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope Lumley’s beloved Alma Mater. Penelope has been invited to speak at the Celebrate Alumnae Knowledge Exposition (CAKE!) event at the school, and, of course, the Incorrigible are invited to attend and see their governess speak. When the Incorrigibles and their governess arrive at Swanburne Academy, Penelope is dismayed to learn that Judge Quincy, now a school trustee, is trying to change everything about her school, changes that are not for the best. Penelope continues to investigate Judge Quincy’s true identity and, with the help of Simon, she tries to discover the contents of the cannibal book’s mysterious blank pages. These pages might even hold the secrets of Lord Ashton’s howling “problem,” which of course may help the Incorrigibles.
Another delightful installment of one of my favorite children’s book series. The writing, as usual, is plucky, witty and clever. Wood always manages to spring a few surprises and add to the mysteries she has been building throughout the series. Thankfully there are some questions answered as well as strong hints as to the answering of others, that helps to keep the reader hooked for the next installment!
As with the rest in this series, I listened to The Interrupted Tale, and cannot say enough good things about the reader, who captures the tone and feel of the books perfectly. She howls with gusto and voices the Incorrigibles perfectly. The audio for these titles make for fantastic family listening, and would make a family road trip fly by with delight.
Will I Read the Sequel? I can’t stop now!
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The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster: I’ve been trying to go back and catch up on classics I never had the chance to read, and, of course, this includes children’s books. I never got around to reading this when I was younger, and that is a shame I can thankfully say I have rectified. Young Miles drives himself through his new tollbooth and finds himself in a strange land where words, sounds and numbers take on a whole new context and meaning. You can jump to the Island of Conclusions or be caught up by the Terrible Trivium. With his friends Tock the Watchdog and the Humbug, Milo travels through the warring Dictionopolis and Digitopolis and finds that he must rescue the Princesses Rhyme and Reason, because only they can bring the kingdom together.
The Phantom Tollbooth is a delightful tale full of whimsy, wordplay and heart. The beauty of a book like this is the layering. On the surface the story and adventure are fun and engaging and will capture readers. Peeking through the surface layer are clever puns and wordplay that add a vastness of depth and enjoyment. It is impossible to not smile at the Whether Man (not to be confused with the Weather Man!) the Spelling Bee and the other delightful characters. There is nothing better than reading a children’s book, as an adult, and becoming just as lost in delight and enchantment as younger readers surely find themselves.
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Backbends and Bookends 