a very good book that you want indeed.

My family seems to like this audiobook so far, but the author has a strange idea of what 2 year olds sound like, which is rather bothersome (in this story, the toddler can say "ball", "milk", or "bat"; all of the 13-24m olds we've met have sentences, phrases, questions).

Maybe we are being picky, having just listened to Constance Contraire, the genius 2-4yo from the Mysterious Benedict Society, while also listening to our own children and their friends, who haven't stopped speaking since they were able to walk.

We will keep trying, but I'm still trying to figure out if they ever took care of Boots' dirty diaper, or if the "overlander" smell is that of poop (Princess Boots is beloved by the giant cockroaches after they lovingly discuss her wonderful smell, to which she responded "poo poo!". Maybe she just isn't as vocal as the average 2yo?).

Giant cockroaches, violet eyed short humanoids. I guess I prefer authors who don't try so hard to make their stories accessible to different generations by dumbing down the children. If you said "goo goo ga ga" to kids instead of "good morning!", or assumed that preteens were incapable of thought, this might be a better, less annoying book. Or I'm too picky and expect better for my children's and my ears.

Suzanne Collins has written a really unique and well-worth the read book, definitely one to buy and have on your bookcase.
4 1/2 stars.

This is a great fantasy, full of great characters and a fascinatingly different world of adventures. It's too good to leave just to young readers.

awesome book!