Publication March 10, 2026
Delightfully thought provoking and fun.
A bit of a cross between a magical journey and a young boy discovering the true meaning of life being a series of blank pages upon which he can write his story. Sprout lived happily with his parents at the edge of a forest. They give him a blank book on his birthday with the explanation that it's up to him to create the story that will be within. Thus begins Sprout's journey to start collecting adventures to both experience and write about. And what a journey it is (and this is just one day in his young life). I won't detail the plot but will say we meet the probably expected encounters with a fire breathing (and itchy) dragon, a knight and a damsel in distress, not to mention a wizard and talking toad.
The overall feel of the story is not just whimsical but descriptive.... you'll be easily able to visualize that maddeningly vague sign Sprout finds as he tries to find his way home. Of course, it leads to another adventure that tests his kindness and willingness to take risks as he tries to find the right path, both physical and otherwise. He also learns patience, sharing, and the joy of helping others, even if he isn't always the most adept. There are some lovely illustrations that capture the mood nicely, too, as well as both a glossary (for bold face words as you read) and study guide by chapters at the end. I liked that the study guide questions didn't ask for a single, right answer but encourage thought and imagination, too.
The overall themes of the book, curiosity, whimsy, and the ability to learn as you grow while keeping your imagination strong, all come together well. Heck, there's even a section dealing with knowledge and the role of libraries. I particularly liked the author's section at the end where she tells how she came to rework her Uncle Richard Gleason's story and update if for a more modern reader. Like the book itself, the tale of his family's involvement in the recreation was heartwarming and I thoroughly enjoyed the bio of him provided at the end. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the photo of the statue of Sprout which I'm guessing was the cover inspiration. Thanks #RiverGroveBooks for the early peek and the reminder that life, like books, is what we experience and hopefully learn and grow from as we write out own stories.
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