Book Review: "Oliver and the Seawigs" by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

I was given a digital advance reader copy of "Oliver and the Seawigs" by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre through Netgalley to review.

Oliver Crisp and his parents are explorers and having explored all there is to explore, they were finally coming home to "retire".  Oliver's parents discover new islands in Deepwater Bay and set off to explore while Oliver unpacks.  When Oliver discovers that his parents are missing along with the new islands, he sets off on an adventure to find them.  On the way, he meets new friends, an albatross Mr. Culpeper, a mermaid Iris, and a Rambling Isle Cliff.  Together, can they defeat evil minions and rescue Oliver's parents?

I read "Oliver and the Seawigs" aloud to my kids over the course of a week as a bedtime story.  They loved it, as did I.  The illustrations are black outline done in cartoon-like fashion and often times caused the kids to laugh.  The story held their attention and they often did not want to stop reading for the day.  The story was funny and adventurous at the same time.   I think that readers in about 2nd grade on up would do well with this story alone.  Younger children woulld enjoy being read the book as well.

"Oliver and the Seawigs" is available for Kindle: 

• File Size: 26620 KB
• Print Length: 208 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 22, 2014)
• Sold by: Random House LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00I1ZJKUW

or in hardcover:

• Age Range: 7 - 10 years
• Grade Level: 2 - 5
• Lexile Measure: 910L (What's this?)
• Series: Not-So-Impossible Tales
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 22, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385387881
• ISBN-13: 978-0385387880