ARA Review by Cmiller7nm of Castle of Dreams and the Blue Butterfly
Moderator: Official Reviewer Representatives
-
Cmiller7nm
- Posts: 0
- Joined: 25 Aug 2023, 18:38
- Bookshelf Size: 0
ARA Review by Cmiller7nm of Castle of Dreams and the Blue Butterfly
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, Castle of Dreams and the Blue Butterfly.]
Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly is a page-turning fantasy for early chapter book readers. The story focuses on three children and an ancient legend. Thomas is a shepherd boy from a recent era. While watching his sheep, he notices a butterfly whose wings are a mesmerizing color of blue. With much curiosity, he follows the beautiful blue butterfly and finds himself, after a few twists and turns, in another world. Thomas soon meets Prince Samuel, the Prince’s friend, Megan, and other people from a royal court. Thomas is a mystery to them, but some know that his presence may be a sign that sets an old prophecy in motion. Will dangerous beasts wake and threaten the castle? Will one of the three young characters become the hero of the day?
Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly will keep many middle elementary school students reading to find out what happens around the next corner. The tale is creative, and entertaining, and focuses on the intelligence, sleuthing skills, and bravery of children their own age. There may be varying opinions about whether early chapter books need illustrations, but a few more drawings would help express the narrative better and make the story even more enjoyable for kids.
The Preface says that the authors, David Michael Walsh and Janet Walsh, wrote Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly (2017) as the second book in a series to follow Castle of Dreams and the Dragon Princess (2015). There is also a third book in the series available on their website. They wrote these stories to complement a collection of acoustic piano pieces available on CD, Castle of Dreams Acoustic Solo Piano (2009), composed by Mr. Walsh. These works are written and recorded with care. The authors have hoped that the literary and musical works will become a ballet. The stories could be worthy to become a children’s ballet. Someone needs to write a musical review, though, to be more certain of the quality of the entire project.
In addition, the author(s) offer the four works online. Satisfied readers of this intriguing, original second volume might want to find other works in the same series. All three books need the musical piece need to be accessible on the same major-selling platform. The authors’ website needs to connect to all web pages on which the books and musical work appear for sale and vice versa in order to reach interested readers.
Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly is quite well-written and carefully crafted. Yet, it would become more enjoyable for early chapter readers if the authors added the few illustrations needed for more success with this audience. Also, the four works need to be better connected online, so that interested readers of this intriguing second book can find the first and third books and the CD. These comments explain why the book, Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly, receives four out of five stars.
***
View Castle of Dreams and the Blue Butterfly on Bookshelves
Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly is a page-turning fantasy for early chapter book readers. The story focuses on three children and an ancient legend. Thomas is a shepherd boy from a recent era. While watching his sheep, he notices a butterfly whose wings are a mesmerizing color of blue. With much curiosity, he follows the beautiful blue butterfly and finds himself, after a few twists and turns, in another world. Thomas soon meets Prince Samuel, the Prince’s friend, Megan, and other people from a royal court. Thomas is a mystery to them, but some know that his presence may be a sign that sets an old prophecy in motion. Will dangerous beasts wake and threaten the castle? Will one of the three young characters become the hero of the day?
Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly will keep many middle elementary school students reading to find out what happens around the next corner. The tale is creative, and entertaining, and focuses on the intelligence, sleuthing skills, and bravery of children their own age. There may be varying opinions about whether early chapter books need illustrations, but a few more drawings would help express the narrative better and make the story even more enjoyable for kids.
The Preface says that the authors, David Michael Walsh and Janet Walsh, wrote Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly (2017) as the second book in a series to follow Castle of Dreams and the Dragon Princess (2015). There is also a third book in the series available on their website. They wrote these stories to complement a collection of acoustic piano pieces available on CD, Castle of Dreams Acoustic Solo Piano (2009), composed by Mr. Walsh. These works are written and recorded with care. The authors have hoped that the literary and musical works will become a ballet. The stories could be worthy to become a children’s ballet. Someone needs to write a musical review, though, to be more certain of the quality of the entire project.
In addition, the author(s) offer the four works online. Satisfied readers of this intriguing, original second volume might want to find other works in the same series. All three books need the musical piece need to be accessible on the same major-selling platform. The authors’ website needs to connect to all web pages on which the books and musical work appear for sale and vice versa in order to reach interested readers.
Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly is quite well-written and carefully crafted. Yet, it would become more enjoyable for early chapter readers if the authors added the few illustrations needed for more success with this audience. Also, the four works need to be better connected online, so that interested readers of this intriguing second book can find the first and third books and the CD. These comments explain why the book, Castle of Dreams and The Blue Butterfly, receives four out of five stars.
***
View Castle of Dreams and the Blue Butterfly on Bookshelves
