Brock Eastman
  • Home
    • Imagination Exploration News
    • eNews Signup
    • Imagination Explorers
    • Rate & Review Challenge
    • Welcome
  • Store
  • Fizzlebop
    • Dr. Fizzlebop
    • Fizzlebop Books
    • Fizzlebop Videos
    • Fizz Extras >
      • Fizzlebop Straw Rocket
    • Fizzlebop Lab Updates
  • Books & Writing
    • Middle Grade & Young Adult Books >
      • Parable Port >
        • Penguincast with J.R.
      • The Quest for Truth >
        • TQ4T Books
        • Questers
        • #TQ4T
        • Glossary
        • Resources & Activities
      • Sages of Darkness >
        • Sage Books
        • Hunters
        • #FightaDemon
      • Kingdoms of Color
      • Crimson Pulse Media
    • Picture & Board Books >
      • Bedtime on Noah's Ark >
        • Bedtime on Noah's Ark
        • Bedtime on Noah's Ark Activities
      • Little Lion Books >
        • Little Lion
        • Daddy's Favorite Sound
        • Mommy's Favorite Smell
        • Little Lion Activities
      • Afraid of the Light
      • Hippopolis >
        • Hippopolis
        • Hippo Activities
      • Saint Nicking at Night
      • Obby the Obot
    • Devotionals & Bibles >
      • Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop
      • Edge of the Galaxy
      • Key Verse Challenge (Go Bible)
      • Go Bible
      • The Action Bible: Faith in Action Edition
    • Early Reader Books >
      • Imagination Station
    • Magazine Stories
  • Author & Speaking
    • Author
    • Speaking
    • Tyndale Summer Camp
    • Adventures in Odyssey
  • Parents & Teachers
    • Activities & Resources
    • Book Lists
    • Book Reviews & Interviews
Seek Adventure and Truth at Every Turn

Imaginatively Adventurous: A Review of King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently and Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

8/15/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
One of my favorite books to read aloud to my kids, King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, takes you right into the imagination of young Jack and his friends. It reminded me of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sandek by delving into a child's imagination on a search for 'monsters' as well as the style of art used in the story. For anyone who loved Where the Wild Things Are this is a must have title for your bookshelf. When I was a little boy I was always exploring my yard looking for dinosaurs or other beasts; armed with toy weapons and equipment for the hunt. Most parents (especially dads) will connect with the fun tale and enjoy reading it while inspiring your own kids imaginations.
Brock: I reached out to author Peter Bently about his story King Jack and the Dragon and asked a few question. I hope you'll enjoy the Q&A. Peter, how did you come up with the idea for the King Jack and the Dragon?
Peter: It began with my son Theo (alias King Jack) building a den in our back garden one summer night when he was about seven. He planned to camp out all night, but once it got truly dark he was soon spooked
by all the unknown noises of the night – rustling branches, roosting birds, scuttling creatures and so on – and staying the night without mum and dad didn't seem such a good plan. But we commended him for
being brave enough to try!
Brock: Our kids often are the best inspiration for our writing. In fact I've got a book under review with a couple of publishers inspired by my oldest daughter. Did you pretend to fight monsters and dragons when you were a little boy?
Peter: I do remember imagining there were monsters under my bed and how I would scare them off if they woke up!
Brock: I doubt many children get through childhood without facing an imaginary monster or two, whether under their bed, in their closet, or as they imagine being a knight or princess. Can you tell us something about King Jack not in the story?
Peter: He likes to be the king but he is also fair to his playmates and happy to let his baby brother Caspar join in too. Jack likes to play at pirates too…you can read all about that when "Captain Jack and the Pirates" comes out later this year.
Brock: We will certainly look forward to that release. What is your favorite part of the story and why?
Peter: I like the part where he imagines the dragons and monsters he is fighting. It's partly to do with Helen Oxenbury's pictures, which portray the creatures so perfectly – not too scary. She told me the monsters were a tribute to the late Maurice Sendak.
Brock: On that last point, prior to doing the interview, that (the likeness to Maurice Sendak's Wild Things) is exactly what I wrote into my review. Good to know I wasn't off base. Thanks again Peter for answering these questions and giving us some insight into this great children's book. One I think all parents should read to their kids.
Order Here
From the Publisher:
A lively playtime adventure that becomes a warm and cozy bedtime book—perfect for every little knight-in-training. From the illustrator of the award-winning We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Night is falling and playtime is nearly over. But brave King Jack and his faithful knights Zak and Caspar are still protecting their castle fort from fierce dragons and terrible beasts. This captivating, joyful make-believe adventure is the perfect bedtime story for brave children everywhere. Fans of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Dinosaur Roar will especially enjoy this imaginative tale.An ALA Notable Book Bank Street Book Committee Best Children’s Books of the Year Kate Greenaway Award

“Sure to be read aloud again and again, this testament to imaginative play exudes warmth.”--Kirkus Reviews

Praise for King Jack and the Dragon:
“At once contemporary and classic.” — The New York Times

“Though the characters are wholly modern, there is a timelessness to the cycle of excitement, apprehension and parental comfort that should give this lovely book a long stay on the nursery shelf.” — The Wall Street Journal*

“It’s an enchanting tribute to both full-throttle pretend play and the reassurance of a parent’s embrace.” --Publishers Weekly, starred review*

“A tale of make-believe that children will delight in hearing again and again.” — School Library Journal, starred review

“The rhyming verse, large trim size, and detailed illustrations…make this a suitable story for group sharing, while the sweet, intimate tone will make it a family favorite.” — Booklist

“From this simple premise of imaginative play, Bently and Oxenbury create a classically sweet picture book.” — Horn Book

“This one is sure to become a full-on family favorite at bedtime.” — The Washington Post
“Altogether, ‘King Jack’ is just about perfect.” — The Sacramento Bee
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Follow me


      Picture

      Join Phoenix eNews

    Subscribe to Newsletter
    Picture

      Share a Joke.

      Tell us your joke and the answer.
    Submit
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    zazzle store

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    March 2019
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    November 2011

    Categories

    All
    Activities
    Adventure
    Adventures In Odyssey
    Barnes And Noble
    Bedtime On Noah's Ark
    Bedtime Routine
    Blizzard Sage
    Board Books
    Book Lists
    Bookshelves
    Brock
    Brock Eastman
    Career
    Christmas
    Clubhouse Magazine
    Colorado
    Contests
    Crimson Pulse Media
    Crimson Pulse Writers
    Crimson-sparrow
    Daddy's Favorite Sound
    Demon Hunters
    Devotional
    Dinosaurs
    Edge & Narro
    Edge Of The Galaxy
    Experiments
    Faith And Science With Dr. Fizzlebop
    Family
    Family Activity
    Family Fun
    Fiction
    Fizzlebop
    Focus On The Family
    Free
    Fun
    Galactic Exploration Collection
    General
    Get In The Show
    Guest Post
    Guest-post
    Halloween
    Harvest House
    Harvest Kids
    Hippopolis
    Holidays
    Hope
    HowlSage
    Imagination Station
    Inspiration
    Interview
    Interviews
    Ireland
    Irish
    Kids
    Library
    Lost Realms
    Mars
    Middle Grade
    Moon
    Nebula Chronicles
    New Release
    Parenting
    Picture Books
    Pirates
    Publishers
    Publishing
    Q&A
    Questers
    Readers
    Reading
    Reading Lists
    Referral
    Review
    Sages Of Darkness
    Saint Nick
    Saint Nicking At Night
    Science
    Sci Fi
    Sci-Fi
    Serial Stories
    Social Shoutout
    Space
    Space Exploration
    Spiritual Warfare
    Story Craft
    St. Patrick's Day
    Teaching Kids
    Thanksgiving
    The Quest For Truth
    The Runners Of Abra
    Thrones
    #TQ4T
    Warriors Of Aragnar
    Wasted Wood
    What Do You Want To Be?
    Write Early
    Write Often
    Write Well Contest
    Writing
    Young Adult

    RSS Feed

Services

Speaking
Publishing

Company

About

Support

Contact
FAQ
Terms of Use
© COPYRIGHT 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
    • Imagination Exploration News
    • eNews Signup
    • Imagination Explorers
    • Rate & Review Challenge
    • Welcome
  • Store
  • Fizzlebop
    • Dr. Fizzlebop
    • Fizzlebop Books
    • Fizzlebop Videos
    • Fizz Extras >
      • Fizzlebop Straw Rocket
    • Fizzlebop Lab Updates
  • Books & Writing
    • Middle Grade & Young Adult Books >
      • Parable Port >
        • Penguincast with J.R.
      • The Quest for Truth >
        • TQ4T Books
        • Questers
        • #TQ4T
        • Glossary
        • Resources & Activities
      • Sages of Darkness >
        • Sage Books
        • Hunters
        • #FightaDemon
      • Kingdoms of Color
      • Crimson Pulse Media
    • Picture & Board Books >
      • Bedtime on Noah's Ark >
        • Bedtime on Noah's Ark
        • Bedtime on Noah's Ark Activities
      • Little Lion Books >
        • Little Lion
        • Daddy's Favorite Sound
        • Mommy's Favorite Smell
        • Little Lion Activities
      • Afraid of the Light
      • Hippopolis >
        • Hippopolis
        • Hippo Activities
      • Saint Nicking at Night
      • Obby the Obot
    • Devotionals & Bibles >
      • Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop
      • Edge of the Galaxy
      • Key Verse Challenge (Go Bible)
      • Go Bible
      • The Action Bible: Faith in Action Edition
    • Early Reader Books >
      • Imagination Station
    • Magazine Stories
  • Author & Speaking
    • Author
    • Speaking
    • Tyndale Summer Camp
    • Adventures in Odyssey
  • Parents & Teachers
    • Activities & Resources
    • Book Lists
    • Book Reviews & Interviews