Helga Returns – A James and Syvok Adventure by Wendy Nystrom is about the adventures of James for the second time. He finds a footprint and he asks his friends Syvok and Matthias to help him find out about the footprint. They discover that it is Helga’s footprint and follow it into the troll village. Will they be able to save the troll and will Syvok and Matthias be able to save James? 

It is an absolutely delightful story for children. The story has many underlying messages in it. I liked the fact that it introduces them to glaciers. Any book is educational for a reader because it will have information to offer that gives you an opportunity to learn. The characters of James, Syvok, and Matthias capture the interest of the reader but the most appealing character is Helga, the troll. Iceland as a backdrop is another interesting aspect of this book. It is a magical story of James along with the two Icelanders, Syvok and Matthias. The story does not lose its tempo and the beautiful illustrations give the characters an identity which makes it easier for children to relate to them.
The biggest advantage of adventure stories is that they encourage children to think and be imaginative. It gives them the freedom to dream, experiment, think differently, and create their own characters. I found the little trolls and dragonets very interesting and they add to the whimsical quality of the story.

“James Saves the Moon”, written by Wendy Nystrom, is a delightful children’s picture book that combines a child’s imagination with Icelandic mythology. The illustrations by Jim Weidman, in a blue tone with colorful characters, lend a mythological feel to the story of a young boy (James), who sees the moon over one of the high mountains and decides that if he climbs to the top of the mountain he can reach out and touch the moon. Slipping quietly out of his bedroom window, he sets out on his journey. On his way up the mountain he stumbles over some rocks and disturbs one of Iceland’s mythological figures (Syvok), who joins him on his journey. They suddenly realize that unless they move faster, the moon will leave before they make it to the top of the mountain. In order that they can move faster, Syvok summons a dragon (Matthias), who allows them to ride on his back. They discover that the moon is stuck on the mountain and they will have to help get it unstuck. The three work as a team to set the moon free and while doing so, James truly does touch the moon.The color of the illustrations by Jim Weidman and the very well-written story by Wendy Nystrom make “James Saves the Moon” a rare treasure for a children’s picture book. Its simplicity combined with the kind of story that stirs the imagination of a child make it something that will stick in the mind of the reader for a lifetime. This book gives a little bit of a taste of the colorful and flavorful history of Iceland and its traditions. It is highly recommended for its ability to help stir a child’s imagination. A wonderfully simple and delightful tale.

https://www.facebook.com/Wendysbookcase

http://authorwbnystrom.com/

https://twitter.com/wbnystrom

http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Nystrom/e/B0064V1T0O

http://authorwbnystrom.com/

http://wendysbookcase.tumblr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Kidtales

https://www.facebook.com/LilAnchors

https://www.facebook.com/anchorgrouppublishing