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A mythical island. A hidden magical item. And two unlikely friends that set out on a life-changing adventure to save their town.
10-year-old Kai is thrilled to be chosen as a junior protector of Pineapple Cove. But when a sea monster threatens the island, Kai isn't sure if he's the right protector for the job.
Island girl Delphi longs to be accepted by the rest of the Cove. But when you're terrified of water and your only friend is a sea lion, fitting in is not so easy.
Can Kai and Delphi work together to defeat the sea monster and save Pineapple Cove?
Poseidon's Storm Blaster is the first book in the enchanting The Legend of Pineapple Cove middle grade fantasy-adventure series for kids. If you like reimagined mythology, role model characters, and animal sidekicks, then you'll love Marina Bowman's legendary story.
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For all the book’s invention and adventure, its heart is in friendship, as Bowman makes cooperation the protagonists’ superpower: Delphi tempers Kai’s impetuousness with well-reasoned preparation; and he urges her to take action and put her knowledge to good use. Their reluctant, life-changing alliance encourages young readers to both recognize strengths (in themselves and others) and to build upon them.
Nathan Monção employs lightness and heft in his winsome illustrations. Pineapple Cove’s populace is densely muscular, as rounded and sturdy as the stones of their town’s buildings, while other images are airy and whimsical, like the massive wooden ship precariously perched on a small rock in the middle of a tiny island. Establishing Kai and Delphi as an interdependent team sets them up for future quests (there are three more books in the series), and it’s also a powerful force in helping Delphi confront her fears. The goal of these young adventurers may be exploring the deep mysteries of Pineapple Cove, but uncovering their own possibilities is their greatest reward.
Takeaway: Greek myth meets rollicking sea adventures in a series that encourages courage and cooperation.
Great for fans of: Lucy Coats’s Beast Keeper, Maz Evans’s Who Let the Gods Out, and Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams’s Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
The book features more than enough action and adventure to keep kids spellbound right to the end, but also ensures that they learn some valuable life lessons. To top it all off, Poseidon's Storm Blaster is also filled with beautiful illustrations.
This story is about friendship, kindness, bravery, team work, and adventure. Children will love reading about the hurdles and challenges Delphi and Kai encounter while they go in search of the Storm Blaster, which is the only thing that can help them save Pineapple Cove. The illustrations by Nathan Moncao are colorful and lively, and they make the story even more appealing and captivating to young readers.
All the characters are well portrayed and both Kai and Delphi are endearing children who convey good messages to readers through their conduct and behavior. It is a fun read that will encourage children to explore. The hidden pineapple game in the story is a bonus and makes the book interactive and interesting.
The nautical theme, the adventures, and the whimsical narration make it an exciting story and I am sure that, like me, young readers are eagerly waiting for the next volume.