The Invisible Kingdom

Gr 4 Up—First of a three-part narrated modern fairy tale originally published in England, this oversize volume follows the life of a lonely young prince who becomes king at the age of 13 after his elderly father's death. Having led a solitary life at the palace under the stern Lord Von Dronus, his demanding tutor who believes in living life "according to rules," the young prince lacks playmates. But in his occasional wanderings, he has visited the very bottom of the palace, making the acquaintance, then friendship, of the Bootman—a wise and clever young fellow who polishes the palace footwear. The Bootman is a good listener—nonjudgmental and caring—who answers the prince's questions "thoughtfully and honestly" and gives him a pen that writes in invisible ink and a "special torch" to reveal the markings that enable the prince to draw an imaginary village on the drapes encircling his four-poster bed. When he discovers a window in the palace attic, he begins to sneak out at night to wander the city, fascinated with the ordinary people he observes at their nighttime occupations. Ryan's hand-drawn, screenprinted, and cut-paper illustrations, filled with intricate patterns, detailed cityscapes, and numerous black silhouettes, are placed on watercolor backgrounds ranging from bright yellow to dark gray hues. Much of the text is printed in gray on black backgrounds, creating a visually stunning presentation.