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KIMBO'S MARBLE by Amy Herrick

KIMBO'S MARBLE

by Amy Herrick & illustrated by Edward S. Gazsi

Pub Date: Oct. 30th, 1993
ISBN: 0-06-020373-0
Publisher: HarperCollins

In a kingdom where the palace looks like a sculpture of candy and pink ice cream, Princess Kimbo learns to value her little brother by saving him from a froglike troll. Kimbo, who has understood animals' language since swallowing a magic marble as a baby, isn't fond of Willy, who is mysteriously silent; still, when Grimpoke kidnaps him, she braves the wilderness and cleverly tricks tigers guarding the way, as well as Grimpoke himself. With the help of more magic, conveniently introduced as the story progresses, Willy begins to speak for the first time and the two make their way home. Aside from the sibling rapprochement, the story doesn't resonate with meaning, but it's well paced. Young readers should enjoy the fantasy—especially as visualized in Gazsi's imaginative art: the realistically portrayed children roam a fanciful landscape where cozily grotesque faces peer from every rock and tree. An old-fashioned Disney-style confection. (Young reader/Picture book. 6-9)