5 Stars
Mark Simon Smith
Sir Nathan and the Quest for Queen Gobbledeegook: A Somewhat Silly Story
Queen Gobbledeegook has gone missing and it is up to Sir Nathan, the Hero of Mariskatania, to find her. Along the way he meets all sorts of odd folks, including pixies and wizards and a hulking creature named Mazy that likes to knit. The land of Mariskatania is a colorful one, filled with bright Jubb Jubb Trees and fuzzy, blue Hobnobber Squirrels who spend all their time looking for a snack guaranteed to poison them.
The sub-heading, A Somewhat Silly Story, is by no means false advertising Mark Simon Smith has crafted a clever tale that produces 
laughter, groans, and everything in between. Silly it is. The creatures he has invented include Tinker Toads, MechaMonkeys, Licorice Lambs, and Hobnobber Squirrels, to name a few. Each has interesting and sometimes hilarious traits.
Silly does not stop with the weird, strange, and often nice creatures he comes into contact with while on his quest to find the missing queen. Sir Nathan takes off riding his trusty steed Tupolev, a talking horse.
“You want me to climb a tree?” asked Tupolev in a shocked voice.
“Why would you think I am any good at . . . oh, right.
I forgot I’m a squirrel now. Sorry.”
I enjoy silly movies with slapstick in them . I equally enjoy clever, creative, and silly books like Sir Nathan and the Quest for Queen Gobbledeegook: A Somewhat Silly Story. I think this is a good book for reluctant readers. The story is easy to follow, fun to read, and will brighten the spirits of anyone who reads it.
There are illustrations scattered throughout the book. These black and white line drawings are a great compliment to the story. If you have never seen a MechaMonkey, Pixie Sisters, or a giant Warlock’s Assistant, Derek Gebler’s art will help you imagine the unimaginable. His illustrations are clean, clear representations of the author’s unique brain.
Unfortunately, there are not enough of these wonderful illustrations in the book. I would have liked to see one at the beginning of each chapter, if only to help me visualize what is going on his the author’s brain when creating his characters.
Sir Nathan is one of those books that sparks the imagination. Many books are clever, others are creative, and some are fun. Sir Nathan and the Quest for Queen Gobbledeegook is all three.
For those that like to read chapter books, one chapter at a time, as the nightly bedtime story, this book will have your kids mesmerized, wanting to know more. Their dreams will be pleasant, not nightmarish, since even the evil creatures have a good side. Girls will like this book as equally as boys will. When your child has devoured the book, and willing to part with it, sit down and read one of the better new children’s authors debuting in 2012.
Book 2: Sir Nathan and the Troublesome Task: Another Somewhat Silly Story is now available in paperback!
Sir Nathan and the Quest for Queen Gobbledeegook: A Somewhat Silly Story
Author/Illustrator: Mark Simon Smith website FB blog Illustrator: Derek K. Gebler website Publisher Platform: CreateSpace Release Date: March 9, 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4700-5906-4 Number of Pages: 223 Ages: 8 to 12 ....................
Filed under: 5stars, Debut Author, Favorites, Library Donated Books, Middle Grade Tagged: creepy creatures, fantasy series, humor, knights, middle grade books, mysterious lands, queens, quests, series-book one, steeds
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