The King of Kazoo

Gr 3–6—King Cornelius is a bit self-centered. He wants to leave behind a glorious legacy for his kingdom, but he never gives credit to anyone who helps him. He doesn't recognize the talents of his clever daughter, Bing, or even his brilliant royal inventor, Torq. When an evil genius threatens to destroy his entire realm, Cornelius is determined to use the catastrophe to make a name for himself—but first he must learn to respect the expertise of others in order to save his kingdom. This is a fast-paced fantasy with a lot of action and plenty of humor thrown in. The characters are quirky and amusing but very relatable—everyone has something to contribute, and the positive message comes through without being preachy. The art style is very appropriate for the age range, clear and easy to understand. The characters are rendered in a cartoonlike style. Though the broad story line is nothing new, the delightful graphics and witty tone make this a fresh, fun revamping of a favored theme.