#blogbookaday: The Very Last Castle

Summary:

“A curious little girl watches the man who guards the last castle in town. Every time she passes by him, she tries to catch his eye. While the other townspeople fear what may be locked up inside the mysterious castle, the girl finally gets up the courage to knock on the door and find out what’s really behind the gate. A story about overcoming fear of the unknown, trying new things, and reaching out to make new friends, The Very Last Castle shows that bravery comes in packages both big and small.” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review:

One last, lonely castle stands – no one goes in and no one comes out. But, every day a little girl, named Ibb, walks past the castle more curious than anything, even with the rumors she hears from the townsfolk. When she becomes brave enough to knock on the castle’s door, what will happen to the little girl and the castle?

Personal Reaction:

This is a story of bravery, trying new things, reaching out to make new (and unexpected) friends. I loved how Ibb becomes brave enough to try something no one else has done in years, and that her over-active imagination forces her to race to the safety of her school after she knocks on the castle’s door. The little details like the Ibb’s grandfather who has a different skin tone than Ibb and that her friend Alex is also a person of color were not lost on me. I really enjoy seeing diversity on the page that isn’t the focus of the storyline. I’m excited to give this title to little girls who look and dress like Ibb (in tutus and puffy dresses) and to kids looking for a little bravery of their own.

Title:The Very Last Castle
Author: Travis Jonker
Illustrator: Mark Pett
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 9, 2018

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!