Books transport us to other times and places, but none of us have quite the same experience as Gus. Thanks to his grandfather’s extraordinary storytelling abilities, Gus finds himself in a magical place called Ranatanland. When Gus finds himself swept into the land of the Poppingras and Sassafras, he can’t believe what he sees. The story read by his grandfather centers around Joey Perch and Willie G Soon and their day of adventure in a most astonishing land. They have a first day of school unlike any other imaginable. The most amazing thing about their big day? It hasn’t even happened yet!

The Ranatanland Tales, by Lloyd Chiasson, Jr., is a fascinating tale of magic, mystery, and adventure. Multiple stories within a story, it is one of my favorite styles of writing for young readers. Gus and his family await a hurricane while listening to a grandfather’s amazing tale. Chiasson does a fabulous job setting up the fantasy portion of his book. From the very first paragraphs, I was greeted with shades of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Chiasson’s work goes far beyond the dynamic, but the feeling is definitely there.

From an encounter with a dragon who doesn’t breathe fire but does read their thoughts to eating brightly colored clover with the flavors of the finest sweets, Joey and Wille G, their trek leads them through some enchanted lands on the way to discover the secret of Holiday Stream. Young readers will be drawn quickly into the first story; the mystical beings who inhabit Ranatanland are simply captivating. The human emotions given Chiasson’s characters only serve to make grandfather’s tales all the more appealing and relatable.

One of the most endearing aspects of Chiasson’s writing is Gus’s reactions to the stories his grandfather reads. He is a child swept up in the sheer power of imagination, and his excitement and love of a good story is almost palpable. Gus and his grandparents’ narrative is every bit as engaging as the fantasy element of Rantanaland.

Young readers looking for a fantasy steeped in unique characters and amusing storylines wrapped neatly in the story-within-a-story packaging will find Chiasson’s work right up their alley. There exist in Chiasson’s tales bits of wisdom and advice shared throughout the characters’ adventures. Young readers will appreciate the gentle way in which these life lessons are revealed.

Pages: 119 | ASIN: B08SRDLV7G