An amusing tale of mischief and mayhem told by an inexperienced peasant boy. Check out Stuart Gibbs ONCE UPON A TIM.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Join New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs in this first book in a hilarious, highly illustrated new middle grade series about a peasant boy who wants to be a knight, perfect for fans of Max & the Midknights.
Tim is just a peasant, but he dreams big. He wants more out of life than to grow up to be a woodsman like his father. Unfortunately, the only route to success in the kingdom of Wyld is to be born a prince. Still, Tim is determined. He is brave and clever and always tries to do the right thing—even though he rarely gets the credit for it.
Then news spreads that Princess Grace of the neighboring kingdom has been abducted by the evil Stinx and Prince Ruprecht needs a legion of knights to join him on his quest to rescue her. Tim finally has the lucky break he’s been waiting for, the opportunity to change his station in life. And even though he doesn’t know how to ride a horse or wield anything more deadly than a water bucket, he’s going to do whatever it takes to make sure his dream becomes a reality.
REVIEW
As a long time fan of Stuart Gibbs work, I eagerly picked up his newest work, Once Upon a Tim, which I keep mispronouncing as Once Upon a Time. The hilarious chapter book pokes fun at traditional quest stories where the 'knight' or 'prince' or 'handsome peasant' rescue the 'damsel in distress'. Using distinctly modern terminology and a narrator that speaks to readers as if he's in the room with them. Tim also takes the time to provide what he calls "IQ boosters" where he uses a big word and then explains what it means. This story reminds me of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. When Tim and his friend, Belinda, volunteer as knights (Belinda decides to disguise herself as a boy to become a knight), in order to help Prince Ruprecht rescue a princess who has been kidnapped by a stinx (two-head lion that doesn't get along with itself and really stinks). Thanks to the prince's spoiled nature and ineptitude and the lack of skill of everyone else--including Nerlim, the magician, and the village idiot, the quest is in serious danger from the beginning. Especially when everywhere they go is called something of Doom. Not at all reassuring. But despite the fact that the prince and magician are up to something, Tim, Belinda, Ferkle (the village idiot), and Rover, Tim's fr-dog somehow make it to the stinx's cave. The question remains whether they will be able to help the princess and avoid getting eaten. The way Tim and his friends manage to survive all kinds of 'unfortunate events' reminds me distinctly of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, as does the vocabulary lessons. For young readers who enjoy unusual narrations with snarky commentary, enjoyable black and white illustrations, and some anachronistic gender roles, this book will be a fun read. I look forward to discovering what trouble Tim and his allies get into in the future.
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