The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healey

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, Snow White, Briar Rose, and Rapunzel. That’s grade school stuff. What about about the Prince Charmings? Yes, there is more than one and they are tired of being overlooked. The Princesses are getting all the attention and it is time for them to claim their rightful place as the famous heroes. Thus begins the tale of Frederic, Duncan, Liam, and Gustav in Christopher Healey's The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. What starts as a simple enough journey after Ella (aka Cinderella), leads Prince Frederic on an adventure that will change his life. Along his way he befriends several other Prince Charmings, who are all looking for something different. They battle a bandit king, tame a dragon, and hopefully foil an evil witch’s plot.

This “charming” tale is a wonderful and humorous companion to the traditional classics. All the characters are full of spunk and wit. They are each completely different and wonderful in their own way...except Briar Rose. Plenty of laugh out loud lines and I caught myself smiling plenty of time. If you have the opportunity, try the audio book out. The reader, Bronson Pinchot, does a wonderful job with all the characters. Though a little lengthy, this middle grade novel will be a big hit with kids and their parents. 

Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda

Everyone knows the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. In Claudia Rueda’s new picture book, Huff & Puff: Can You Blow Down the Houses of the Three Little Pigs, this classic childhood story gets a new twist. With simple texts and sketch illustrations, Huff & Puff is a great way to introduce your toddlers to this classic tale. Rueda does add her own spin though. The reader is the wolf! That’s right. After each pig is introduced there is a cut out in the book with the text “Huff and Puff”. But don’t worry, there is a delightful surprise at the end of this story.