Matt Hammill

Sir Reginald’s Logbook by Matt Hammill.

Written in journal fashion, young adventure seekers will be intrigued with this humorous picture book from the very first entry which reads “I’m far too excited for sleep as tomorrow marks my greatest quest! What perils and pitfalls await my search for the legendary lost tablet of Illusion?” Reminiscent of an Indiana Jones adventure, Sir Reginald himself reminds us more of an absent minded professor whose view of reality and the imaginary is comically blurred. Readers join Sir Reginald on his quest to locate the “Lost Tablet of Illusion” in which he escapes various menacing jungle creatures, including gargantuan vampire bats and huge carnivorous beetles, only to discover the tablet has been stolen from the sacred ancient temple! “What manner of beast has robbed my heart of its most fervent desire?” Fantastic two-page spreads of detailed watercolor illustrations painted in vibrant earth-tones depict Sir Reginald’s remarkable adventures, while smaller black and white line drawings give insight to the reality of his circumstances. One scene shows Sir Reginald in the unfortunate position of coming face to face with “the lethal tiger-striped viper” while in the next we get a glimpse of him standing in his living room armed with a toilet plunger, dressed in his bathrobe and slippers, inspecting a striped sock found lying on the floor. This laugh out loud tale of the “intrepid armchair explorer” makes for a great read-aloud and encourages the lost art of fantasy and imagination. Recommended for grades 2-4. Christine Johanson, SLMS Mahopac NY… (meer)