Author: Margie Blumberg
Publisher: MB Publishing
Rating: WORTHY!
DISCLOSURE: Unlike the majority of reviews in this blog, I've neither bought this book nor borrowed it from the library. This is a "galley" copy ebook, supplied by Net Galley. I'm not receiving (nor will I expect to receive or accept) remuneration for this review. The chance to read a new book is often enough reward aplenty!
Illustrated à la mode by Renee Andriani.
Having visited Paris, I can testify to what a fun and interesting city it is. I've been on the world's largest lightning conductor - La Tour Eiffel - during a thunderstorm which was a fun experience. I can also testify to what a magnificent view it is from there, even partially obscured by rain. Paris isn't - or wasn't, when I was there - a city full of looming and obstructive skyscrapers, so you can on a clear day, as they say, see for miles.
Grandma Goldie and her granddaughter, Aimee (yes, Aimee, you know who you are!), are interested in seeing how the city looks at sunset, and they plan on heading over to the tower in good time to see it. The problem is that there is so much else to see, so many distractions, so many sights and sounds and smells which keep on getting in their way. For the Français-challenged, there is a glossary of French words used in the text.
First there's the boulangerie where croissants, éclairs, and baguettes lure them in. Then there are the street artists and the Punch and Judy puppet show. The Louvre of course, is not to be missed, but having only one day in Paris, I rather suspect at this rate it will take them far longer than one hour to get to the tower!
I also suspect the visit to the dress shop might have been put on the back burner, but then I am not a fashion fetishist, so perhaps it's not for me to judge! La Place de la Concorde definitely beats the dress shop in my book, but it's one more delay.
I like that the itinerary actually makes sense - they're heading west along the Seine pretty much - rather than being an insane random walk. It really doesn't matter that much in a children's book like this but it does satisfy my anal instinct for verisimilitude. There! I knew I'd get a chance to work that word into a review sooner or later! Next up, rectitudinous. If that's even a word!
Yes, all exactitude is lost, in a rectitudinous manner, when the next stop comes up, since they've evidently taken a river boat to the Notre Dame which is pretty much returning them the entire distance back east which they've just traveled west! Our Lady is gorgeous though, so maybe it was worth the effort.
What is without-a-doubt worth the effort in this story is Renee Andriani's art work. I don't think I've seen anything by him before, and while the work is merely functional in some parts of the story, there are illustrations in this, particularly vis-à-vis the river boat trip, which are, mes amis, très belle. You can see a sample on my blog. The colors are quite breath-taking. I recommend this hop across the pond.
