Troubled waters ahead! Lucas and Clara search for a scary sea monster in this third chapter book in the fantastical Kingdom of Wrenly series.
Something has been making waves around Wrenly, and it’s not the tides. Prince Lucas is sure that it’s the mysterious sea monster that has only been heard of in tall tales. Now the legendary monster is frightening everyone—from fishermen, to the king’s men, to even the hardiest of sea captains. With the aid of his best friend, Clara, and a cast of unlikely helpers, it’s up to Prince Lucas to discover what is bothering the beast—and make the trouble stop!
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Kingdom of Wrenly chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
As the proud new owner of Ruskin, the only scarlet dragon in the Kingdom of Wrenly, young Prince Lucas is training the baby dragon when he hears rumors of trouble. The Sea of Wrenly typically cycles between choppy and calm, but lately it has been unusually rough. Word among the people is that a sea monster could be responsible, but such creatures are not officially recognized as anything more than legend. King Caleb is skeptical, but Lucas is convinced sea monsters exist. Nanny Louisa, who watched over the prince as a small child, once told him of her encounter with a massive sea creature, and she isn't prone to tall tales. Wanting to help his father settle the seas, Lucas and his friend Clara Gills head to the island of Primlox to consult Nanny Louisa, who now takes care of the fairies who inhabit the island. She'll be able to confirm the reality of sea monsters.
Old Nanny Louisa spins a yarn of a great sea voyage during her youth, led by intrepid Captain Douglas Brown. As the ship's cook, Louisa was aghast when a leviathan rose from the sea with a cauldron clasped in its teeth, the waves it stirred almost capsizing the boat. The creature hurled the cauldron onto the boat and disappeared into the water, and Captain Brown suspected it was sending a message: don't dump your trash in the sea. King Henry, Caleb's father, quietly acknowledged this with a new law against disposing of garbage in the water, but wouldn't publicly recognize the existence of sea monsters for fear of upsetting people. Now the beast appears to have returned.
Setting sail with a savvy captain on the turbulent sea, Prince Lucas and Clara are determined to find the monster and learn what is troubling it. Navigating the rolling waves isn't easy, but this problem needs to be addressed before someone gets hurt. Just as happened years ago, the sea parts and the towering monster rises into the sky, a terrifying spectacle for a young prince and his friend. Why has it returned after a generation of silence? If Lucas and Clara can diagnose and solve the monster's problem, the seas could again be peaceful for fishermen and sailors. But it will take a contribution from an unexpected source for the quest to succeed.
Like The Scarlet Dragon, Sea Monster! isn't as deep or exciting as the first Kingdom of Wrenly book, The Lost Stone. The story is more predictable, and the art isn't as evocative as the journey through the Starless Forest in The Scarlet Dragon. This is a decent adventure, though, and I appreciate a high fantasy series for early readers. Prince Lucas and Clara make a good team; someday he will be a better leader because he learned at a tender age to proactively solve problems in his kingdom. I give Sea Monster! one and a half stars, but I'll round up rather than down. More intrigue awaits in book four, The Witch's Curse.
My daughter and I really enjoyed this one and from her perspective she loves anything sea monster/dragon related. Also, I will say I love problem-solving from a child's standpoint within these books.
Although they are not the most well-written books around, they really help develop plot in a simplistic way for young readers to see the arc of beginning, middle/conflict, and end which will undoubtedly help them learn how to write and comprehend better in the future.
Yet another charming tale from Jordan Quinn but one that also contains an important environmental lesson of taken care of our oceans and other waterways. Ruskin will steal your heart, as he has stolen mine, he's adorable! The writing and illustrations throughout the book are still just as amazing as the first book in the series.
I do not like this book because I do not like sea monsters. I enjoyed this book because I liked the part when Lucas and Clara got off an old fishing net from the sea monster's head and made the sea monster not angry any more.
I was sent a copy of Sea Monster! by the illustrator. I was not obligated to write a positive review. This is my full and honest opinion.
Lucas and Clara's adventures continue in this third book in The Kingdom of Wrenly fantasy series for beginning readers! So far, they've had to track down the Queen's lost necklace and find a cure for a very sick baby scarlet dragon, Ruskin. This time, they're chasing down rumors of a sea monster off the coast of Wrenly. Everyone seems to think the sea monster means harm, but Lucas and Clara are convinced that it's just trying to communicate with them.
In the usual style of this series, Sea Monster! is full of fun and whimsical adventure, gorgeous black-and-white illustrations on each page, and new - and old! - beloved characters. Ruskin spices Lucas and Clara's adventure up with his antics - and also plays a surprisingly heroic role in the end. The people of Wrenly are very helpful and friendly, but Sea Monster! has some perilous moments that will make young, eager Readers gasp and wonder if Ruskin and his companions will survive their encounter with the sea serpent. We also get to learn more about some of the minor characters' pasts, such as Lucas's old nurse Louisa and Captain Brown, both of whom help Lucas and Clara track the serpent down.
Readers are also treated to seeing more of the Kingdom, as we sail the high seas with Captain Brown and pay the Faeries another visit. They never stay long in each place, but every moment hints at a rich world filled with adventure, fantasy, and a whole host of fascinating characters and creatures. Readers will be eager to delve into Wrenly once again and see what happens to our young hero and heroine next!
My Review: Another exciting book in this series, it is definitely one to add to your young reader's shelf. This was a fun book, one that has a nice little message behind it, how even old wives tales often have some bit of truth in them where the story started (and also just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it isn't real). I do find it odd that these kids are able to run off on these adventures without any supervision but that is the adult and parent in me coming out. If I was reading it at the age intended it would be a grand adventure. I also like how it isn't the kids doing amazing things to fix everything, they find someone who can show them the way or who know better. I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Update: I'm bumping this up to 5 stars because my son as well as my 2 year old daughter (who surprisingly sat with us to read this book as well) keep wanting to revisit the book over and over again. The pictures are captivating to my daughter as she wants to reread her favorite parts multiple times a day.
I read this with my 4.5 year old son and it was a lot of fun for both of us. I'm so glad our copy at the library was finally available, because I've been wanting to get back into this series with him. I think a big part of it is that I really love the beautiful illustrations that are on every page and make the story so engaging for my son. Also I love that it has the feel of a traditional medieval fantasy with a map in the front and the kind of settings and characters I get excited about. The premise of this book was one that especially appealed to both of us since it involved some high sea adventures. My son didn't want to stop reading it!
Fascinating. I thought the new character of Nanny Louisa to be very likable and brought a cute backstory for Lucas into the tale. At one point, I thought the story was going to go in the direction of claiming the sea monster was somehow Ruskin's parent, but it didn't. So, this addition to the series does get points for not being predictable. These stories can be read within 30 minutes, but they're actually not bad. 3 stars.
My son and I really enjoyed this one, but we thought it was hilarious that the characters had a baby dragon as a pet, had visited fairies and trolls, but nobody believed it was possible that a sea monster could exist! Overall, a fun one, but once again, the ending was very abbreviated. Lots of journeying to the sea monster area, only to have that aspect wrapped up in a few pages. Onto the next!
I am reading this series to my five year old daughter and two and a half year old son. They adore everything about it, especially the baby dragon, ‘Ruskin’. We three are enjoying the series immensely! It’s just a delightful little world with gorgeous old-timey illustrations that compliment the writing perfectly.
Book three of such a cute series! Love that we are getting to know the baby dragon more and the theme of the story being a focus on not putting garbage in the ocean. Excited to see what happens in book four!
I like the stories from this series. It will be loved by any child you give it to. I thought it was worth the read and I'm glad I bought it for my 4 year old niece. She will definitely enjoy these books. If I see the next books I will surely buy them for her.
My kids really enjoy this series. Only about 30 minutes per audiobook; I wish we could get them hard copy too. It’s a good level for beginning chapter book readers, fairly simple but with some excitement.
Another fun story with Lucas and Clara - this time trying to figure out why the sea is so angry.
My 5 year old LOVED the illustrations in this one. She was especially delighted to find the dragon in the illustrations. I appreciated the story was very engaging for her, even if not so engaging for me. Lots of fun. Kids are looking forward to the next installment.
My kids are currently playing pretend that they are Ruskin sneaking around the house. I love that these books are easy enough for them to understand at a very young age and is engaging their minds.