"Bartholomew Biddle and the Very Big Wind" by Gary Ross & illustrated by Matthew Myers (Review & Giveaway)

ISBN: 9780763649203
Hardcover $17.99

About the book:   Bartholomew Biddle’s life has always been pretty ordinary, but when a huge wind blows past his window one night, he feels the call of adventure -- and he can’t resist the urge to grab his bedsheet and catch a ride. Soon he’s soaring far above his little town, heading wherever the wind takes him! After spending time on an island full of pleasure-seeking pirates and at a prep school that boasts a hundred shades of gray, Bart finds himself in a mysterious cove where the wind doesn’t blow. Stuck, Bart is forced to face the fact that his flying days might be over. Will he ever get home again?

A soaring bedsheet carries a young boy on three incredible adventures in this compelling debut by acclaimed film director Gary Ross.

My thoughts:  This is a magical book of adventure filled with bold, boy-loving pictures by artist Matthew Myers who wields his oil filled brush boldly on canvas to create images to bring the most adventurous boy's fancy to life.

I love the poetic story format and while lengthy it will capture the imagination and interest of readers and listeners alike. Example: After he lands in pirate paradise...

"So, you thought we were all

just some nasty marauders,

larcenous thieves, 

and petty defrauders?

"But nothing, you see,

could be further from true.

I mean, why do we all

do the things that we do?

"The rings in our noses,

the parrots, the rum--

we just do that stuff

because it is fun!"

Children will  build learning and listening skills by engaging in a story written in rhyme and this one is lengthy which will aid in their development of a learning attention span.  Their vocabulary will be challenged and increased and it will stick because it comes to them in the poetic format.

The book is about imagination and the worlds of adventure our imaginations can take us on.  It is also about parents realizing that their child will eventually take off on his/her own adventures as the child grows into maturity.

My concerns:  In the book are the use of "Oh, my gosh! Oh, my God!" which I find offensive and entirely uncalled for - especially in children's literature.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Just enter via the Rafflecopter links below.  (Please be patient as Rafflecopter is sometimes a bit slow to load.) This giveaway only open to USA addresses. Begins Jan. 2, 2013 - ENDS January 19 at 12:01 a.m. EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway  
DISCLOSURE:  I was provided a complimentary copy of Bartholomew Biddle and the Very Big Wind by Candlewick Press on behalf of the author for the purpose of my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own.  Another copy is being provided by Candlewick Press for the purpose of the giveaway and will be shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick Press.