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Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff

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Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff

eBook(NOOK Kids)

$7.99

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eBook(NOOK Kids)
$7.99

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Overview

The next middle-grade rhyming novel from the award-winning author of Zorgamazoo!

Prince Puggly of the muddy, terminally unfashionable Kingdom of Spud is surprised when he receives an invitation to a lavish ball in the far more chic Kingdom of Spiff. Puggly is sure that the Spiffs will take one look at him and laugh him out of their kingdom. And that’s exactly what they do. . . . But then Puggly meets Francesca, the bookish Princess of Spiff, and together the two set out to teach Francesca’s Spiffian countrymen an absurd lesson in style. Award-winning author Robert Paul Weston once again delivers a humorous fantasy in rhyming verse that just begs to be read aloud. And this time, it comes with a message that’s sure to impress: There’s more to a person than how they are dressed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101637692
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	02/07/2013
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	23 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Robert Paul Weston wandered the earth for many years doing all sorts of odd jobs. In 2008, he published his first novel-in-verse, Zorgamazoo, recipient of the California Young Reader's Medal, the Silver Birch Award, the Children's Choice Award, and an E.B. White Read Aloud Honor. His second novel was the hard-boiled fairy tale Dust City, which was nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. He is also the author of the upcoming format-bender The Creature Department. When he isn't writing, Robert still wanders the earth. For more about his latest adventures go to www.robertpaulweston.com.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The Seuss inspired text makes this novel a read-aloud must with jokes that will appeal to a wide audience and a theme that explores fashion culture. Great to share, this novel is pure fun!" —Canadian Library Association (Honor Book)

"Like Zorgamazoo (2008), a novel in rhyme, anything but sedate."—Kirkus Reviews

"These couplets beg to be read aloud. . . . the playful language and satisfying story have extensive middle-grade appeal."—Booklist

From the B&N Reads Blog

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Editorial Reviews

Weston returns to the novel-in-verse format, goofy humor, inventive typography, and Seussian rhymes of his debut, Zorgamazoo, in this sartorial fairy tale. In Spiff, fashion matters above all else (“Every Spiff in the land would compete with their friends,/ to keep right in step with the latest of trends”), except to Princess Frannie, who prefers pajamas and books to sequins and gowns. Meanwhile in the neighboring kingdom of Spud, where clothing tends to be mismatched and garish, a commoner named Puggly is chosen to be prince and invited to the Centenary Ball in Spiff. Due to their “creative” wardrobe choices, Puggly and Frannie are insulted at the ball and flee in despair; when they meet up in the woods, they concoct a plan of revenge on the image-obsessed denizens of Spiff and its neighboring kingdoms. Weston’s climax is as tidy as his verse, with lessons learned about what truly matters (hint: it’s not a person’s outfit). Villa’s energetic illustrations further enliven this exuberant story that ought to enchant readers, whether they are fashion plates or reprobates. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR PRINCE PUGGLY OF SPUD AND THE KINGDOM OF SPIFF:
"Plot, theme, and writing style make this a terrific read-aloud. Creative formatting and use of various typefaces add to the fun." —School Library Journal

"These couplets beg to be read aloud...the playful language and satisfying story have extensive middle-grade appeal." —Booklist

"Like Zorgamazoo (2008), A novel in rhyme, anything but sedate." —Kirkus Reviews

"A winning story that will appeal to budding poets, fashion designers, and children looking for a laugh." —Library Media Connection

"An excellent choice for a classroom or family read aloud." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

PRAISE FOR ROBERT PAUL WESTON'S ZORGAMAZOO:“A natural descendant of the works of Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl while hewing close to the droll atmospherics of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.” —Booklist (Starred, Top Ten Debut)

“If Seuss and Dahl collaborated early in their careers, something similar might have resulted.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Give this one to readers who enjoy a little nonsense.” —School Library Journal

“A story rich in clever wordplay, unusual characters, and fantastic circumstances.” —Quill & Quire

“One of the most exciting children’s books to hit the shelves in a long time.” —Canadian Children’s Book News

“There’s something infectious, contagious, sublime / about a 280-plus-page novel written completely in rhyme.” —The Globe and Mail

From the Publisher

Gr 2–5—A humorous spin on the adage, "you can't judge a book by its cover." In clever rhyming verse, Weston tells the story of the people of the Kingdom of Spiff and several surrounding kingdoms who care more about appearances than character. Poor Frannie, the Princess of Spiff, is harassed by her father, King Dandy von Fop, to get her nose out of her books and put on something other than pajamas. In nearby Spud, citizens are shunned for being unfashionable and having a muddy realm. As the kingdoms come together for a ball, both Princess Frannie and the newly crowned Prince Puggly of Spud face harsh criticism from the stylish people who surround them. Frannie and Puggly flee separately but find each other and devise a plan to teach those around them a lesson in what is truly important. Plot, theme, and writing style make this a terrific read-aloud. Creative formatting and use of various typefaces add to the fun.—Erica Thorsen Payne, Meriwether Lewis Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

School Library Journal

Like Zorgamazoo (2008),
A novel in rhyme, anything but sedate. It seems that Francesca, a book-loving princess Cares nothing for Fashion, despite her dad's winces--
Till scorned by the guests who have come one and all To the Kingdom of Spiff's Centenary Ball,
She blanches in shock from their laughter and jeers And runs off in naught but pajamas and tears.
Likewise Prince Puggly from neighboring Spud Is subjected to similar slinging of mud,
And reeling dismayed from the general mocks At his laughable wig and nonmatching socks Conspires with Fran on a brilliant prank That leaves their tormentors repentant but rank.
Presented in couplets that use a full range Of fanciful fonts and typography strange,
This sendup of Fashion quite properly ends With a note about slavishly following Trends. Lighthearted flummery, far from routine.
(Comical fantasy. 10-13)

Kirkus Reviews