Princess Igraine is in the doldrums. Life at the family castle is boring and her fantasies about becoming a great female knight seem like nothing more than pipe dreams. All that changes, however, with the arrival of a power-hungry intruder who is intent on stealing a set of wondrous singing spell books owned by Igraine's parents. And it couldn't have happened at a worse time: Thanks to a major magical mishap, mom and pop have turned themselves into pigs! Fortunately, a Gentle Giant and a Sorrowful Knight are waiting in the wings to help the fledgling princess to save the day and the bacon-in-waiting. High-spirited hijinks.
Falling into the Funke-lite category of fantasy (more Dragonriderthan Inkheart), young listeners, especially girls, will be eager to find adventure with the irrepressible heroine of this sprightly adventure. Igraine longs to leave boring life at Pimpernel Castle and be a famous knight-unheard of, of course, for a girl. But when the magic of her sorcerer parents goes awry and they turn themselves into pigs at the very moment that nefarious necromancers gather to attack, Igraine is called to undertake a courageous and crucial quest. British actress Elbrick makes 12-year-old Igraine's frustration and exasperation palpable without sounding overwrought. And by giving the protagonist a youthful, yet confident and strong, vocal delivery, she helps listeners truly believe in Funke's characterization of Igraine. Additional solid portrayals-a sorrowful knight with an Americanized accent, a mostly friendly giant and singing books of magic, go far to create a lighthearted and colorful setting. Ages 8-up. Simultaneous release with the Scholastic/Chicken House hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 10). (Sept.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
Gr 3-5 -Young fans of knights and magic will rejoice in Cornelia Funke's tale (Chicken House, 2007) of adventure, bravery, and chivalry. Igraine was born into a family of magicians but has no desire to learn magic. She dreams of becoming a famous knight to liven up her boring castle life. For her twelfth birthday, she unexpectedly gets her wish when her family's castle is attacked by their greedy neighbor who is trying to steal her family's singing magic books. Since her parents have accidentally turned themselves into pigs, it's up to Igraine and her novice magician brother to save the castle. Xanthe Elbrick's smooth narration adds plenty of flavor to this fanciful tale. Her British accent heightens the medieval charm and her unique voices for the many characters are engaging and amusing.-Karen T. Bilton, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Rocky Hill, NJ
Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
The author of Princess Knight (2004) offers a longer tale along the same lines, here in its first English translation. Uninterested in becoming a magician like her parents and older brother, Igraine delights in feats of arms. Though a spellcasting error-that transforms her parents into non-magical pigs-casts a shadow on her 12th birthday, she is dazzled by the suit of magic armor they present her. It arrives just in time, too, because shortly thereafter, thuggish Osmund the Greedy arrives at the castle gates with an army, intent on seizing the resident library of talking grimoires. Will the castle's magical defenses hold out long enough for Igraine to steal a fast horse from under Osmund's nose, find a giant willing to give up the hair necessary for a parent-restoring spell, rescue an unaggressive dragon from hunters and help a sad knight who teaches her the rules of chivalry to defeat Osmund's supposedly undefeatable Castellan? Do you doubt? Illustrated with pen-and-ink sketches of Igraine in action, plus many tiny tomes sporting stubby limbs and animated faces, this engaging read, or read-aloud, is "joust" the ticket for all young fans of non-gender-specific knightly valor. (Fantasy. 9-11)
Twelve-year-old Igraine longs to become a knight, but her family of magicians can’t understand her dream. When life at the family castle is threatened by the dastardly Greedy Osmund, Igraine’s skills in horsemanship and swordplay are pressed into action. Narrator Xanthe Elbrick has just the right touch for Igraine, whose courage and determination overshadow her youth and inexperience. Elbrick employs a superb range of accents for Igraine’s various sidekicks. She portrays Igraine’s older brother with a delightful combination of teenage scorn and begrudging pride. Igraine’s parents, who have accidentally turned themselves into pigs, are simultaneously supportive and “piggy.” Elbrick’s effortless-sounding enunciation keeps the action lively but lighthearted. N.M.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine
