Children's Review: The King of Quizzical Island

{on Goodreads}

The King of Quizzical Island has a question, what's it like at the edge of the world? No one can give him the answer, so he readies his sails and sets out to find it himself. He happens upon a series of fascinating and strange lands, including Jigsaw Land and Vertical Land, "where everything stands on end." As he continues on his journey, barely surviving the Sea of Dreadful Dreams (but prevailing against the Night Mares), his ship is beached upon another sandy shore, where he spies a familiar-looking castle. Could it be that the edge of the world doesn't actually exist?

The King of Quizzical Island is a fantastic tale of curiosity and discovery. The King's biggest realization is that the world is actually round, but his inquisitiveness and can-do attitude are what make him a memorable character. I was smitten with this story from the first time I read it, as it reminds me of one of my absolute favorite picture books. The rhymes are brilliant and illustrations are quirky, and I just love the immense amount of imagination that went into the King's travels; his adventures are sure to have little readers asking question and yearning to discover more about the world around them.

Recommended for ages 4-8 (Preschool - 3rd Grade)

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Title: The King of Quizzical Island

Author: Gordon Snell

Illustrator: David McKee

Publisher: Candlewick, 2009

ISBN: 0763638579

Format: Hardcover

Price: $15

Source: Purchased, University Store