4 out of 4 stars
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The old rocking chair had always been there, but today, a large lizard was seated in the chair. Oscar almost choked on his biscuit. This just could not be real. Author Julia Clark takes her readers on a magical adventure in The Adventures of Oscar and the Lounge Lizard.
Oscar is an ordinary eight-year-old-boy. However, he is dealing with the loss of his beloved grandfather, Grumps, and his parents’ divorce. He loves to play in the garden, and one day he meets a large talking lizard. Larry the lizard helps Oscar to cope with his hardships and takes him on magical adventures. Larry’s home planet, Tarastaria, is also home to trolls, monkeys, and gonks. These interesting creatures are ruled by the tyrannical Emperor Bumface. Oscar’s unlikely friendships with these extraordinary creatures do more than distract him from his troubles on Earth. As Oscar enjoys his time on the magical planet, he unknowingly inspires the citizens of Tarastaria to work together to make a positive change.
This story is fun and entertaining with interesting, relatable characters. Many children struggle with the loss of loved ones. Divorce is, likewise, a difficult journey for many families today. This is a story that addresses these issues in a gentle and, in many ways, fun manner. Children ages nine to twelve would enjoy reading this book. Children ages five to eight would enjoy listening to an adult as they read this story to them. This suspenseful fable will keep young readers’ attention through to the end. This book creates a fun way to teach children about teamwork, kindness, and the importance of family.
The author’s clever use of context clues is sure to enrich her young readers’ vocabulary. This book is skillfully written, organized, and edited. There is not one grammar error to be found. The story comfortably flows from one scene to the next making it pleasant to read, and it is sure to inspire young imaginations.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. This is a well-written and well-organized book. The themes and lessons of determination and the importance of family are clear and presented in an understandable way. Reading The Adventures of Oscar and the Lounge Lizard to or with children will help parents and teachers start conversations about many difficult issues that children cope with today. Furthermore, this is a fun, entertaining, and magical story that the entire family can enjoy together.
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The Adventures of Oscar and the Lounge Lizard
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