The Terrestria Chronicles #1: The Sword, the Ring, and the Parchment

     The Sword, the Ring, and the Parchment is an allegory written by Ed Dunlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can find this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the first of the seven books in the Terrestria Chronicles.
     Josiah Everyman lived a cruel life under the blacksmith Argamor. That was before he met King Emmanuel, before he was redeemed, before he became a prince. Now, as a son of King Emmanuel, Josiah must learn to obey his King and to have a servant's heart. Josiah has many adventures, each time learning a lesson to better serve his King. He learns new and surprising things - and I bet you will, too!
    
     In each of the Terrestria Chronicles, there is a certain theme unique to that book. These themes help us to become stronger in our walk with the King. The theme of the first book is that our King loves us and will never desert us because we do wrong.
    
         

The Terrestria Chronicles #2: The Quest for Seven Castles

    The Quest for Seven Castles is an allegory written by Ed Dunlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can get this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the second book in the Terrestria Chronicles.
     When King Emmanuel sends Josiah, now a devoted servant and son of  the King, on a journey to seven castles all across the kingdom, Josiah is little prepared for what he will face. Serpents, swamps, and Argamor's men are only a few of the perils Josiah comes across. But if he can make it to all seven castles - the castles of Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Charity - Josiah will obtain seven priceless jewels for his Shield of Faith!

     Each book has a theme that helps us become closer to the King. The theme in this book is trust.

The Terrestria Chronicles #3: The Search for Everyman

     The Search for Everyman is an allegory written by Ed Dunlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can get this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the third book in the Terrestria Chronicles.
     Prince Josiah, Prince Selwyn, and Princess Gilda have been instructed by King Emmanuel to deliver a pardon to a condemned man by the name of Adam Everyman. The trio has three weeks before Everyman is hung, so they must hurry. Along the way, they face basins made of glass, giants, and more, all the while trusting in their King and giving Him the glory of their victories.

     In each book, there is a theme or lesson that brings us closer to our King. The lesson in this book is about pride.

The Terristria Chronicles #4: The Crown of Kuros

    The Crown of Kuros is an allegory written by Ed Dunlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can get this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the fourth book and the heart of the Terrestria Chronicles.
     When Josiah fails to lock the keep at the Castle of Faith because of an archery tournament, the Crown of Kuros, a priceless crown that is cut from a single diamond, is stolen in broad daylight. All evidence points to Morphina, an evil enchantress that can change her appearance to look like any animal or person. Prince Josiah, Prince Selwyn, and other knights search for the Crown so that it does not fall into the hands of Argamor. But Josiah alone came recover the Crown, and will have to fight a life-or-death battle to do so.

     In each of the books, there is a theme or lesson that helps us grow closer to our King. This book is the heart of the Terrestria Chronicles, and instead of a lesson or theme, this book poses a question that each one of us must answer ourselves: Will you yield your heart to the King?

The Terrestria Chronicles #5: The Dragon's Egg

    The Dragon's Egg is an allegory written by Ed Dunlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can get this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the fifth book of the Terrestria Chronicles.
    After saving a peasant couple's house, Prince Josiah, Prince Selwyn, and Princess Gilda are shown a rare object that is against King Emmanuel's law: the egg of a Cararian Greatwing. Even though Josiah knows it's wrong, he accepts the egg and takes it to the Castle of Faith. For a while, he can conceal the egg, but when it hatches, Josiah realizes too late that he is powerless against the beast. He must kill the dragon - but how?

     In each book, there is a lesson or theme that the book emphasizes. In this book, the lesson is to guard your hearts and minds for the King.

The Terrestria Chronicles #6: The Golden Lamps

     The Golden Lamps is an allegory written by Ed Dumlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can get this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the sixth book in the Terrestria Chronicles.
     The villagers of Mitspah have sent petitions to His Majesty to send them an architect to help them build a castle against Argamor's forces. The King sends James of Arwyn to oversee the project. All goes well until one day one of the villagers finds a golden lamp. This lamp draws everyone away from the castle and to the mine to find more lamps. More and more lamps are found. These lamps have strange powers, and if these lamps are destroyed, they may spell doom for the village and the castle.

     In each book there is a lesson or theme that the book emphasizes. In this book, we learn that the King's business is our first and foremost priority.

The Terrestria Chronicles #7: The Great War

     The Great War is an allegory written by Ed Dunlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can get this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the seventh and final book in the Terrestria Chronicles.
      It has been 11 years since Josiah Everyman came to the King's service, and Argamor's forces are still at work. Josiah is grown up and is husband to Princess Gilda, who has a son named Ethan, the "Little Knight." When Ethan is taken from them to the Golden City, Gilda is devastated. Argamor senses this, and plans to use Gilda as a main role in the destruction of Prince Josiah and the Castle of Faith.

     In each of the books, there is a lesson or theme that the book emphasizes. In this book, we learn that our King Emmanuel will win every time, because his power surpasses everything we can comprehend or imagine.

Charlotte's Web

     Hi, followers! AJ here. Today, I would like to share a book review by Maddy L, who is going into second grade. This is her very first book review, so enjoy!

     I liked Charlotte's web because charlotte wrote words in her web. My favorite characters are Fern, Wilbur, and Charlotte.  I liked Fern because she cared about Wilbur. I liked Wilbur because on the word "Radiant," he jumped in the air and had a half-twist in it. I liked  Charlotte because she really liked Wilbur and she kept him safe from Mr. Zuckerman. My favorite part was that Wilbur kept Charlotte's kids safe.  I would want people to read this book because everyone in the book liked each other.


     Thanks for sharing, Maddy! I hope all you readers enjoyed this guest post.

Pinocchio

     Pinocchio was written and illustrated by Carlo Lorenzini, better known as Carlo Colodi. The first edition was published in 1883. You can find this book at your local library.
     Pinocchio was made into a puppet by his father Geppetto. Right from the beginning, Pinocchio proves himself lazy and rebellious; running away from his father and going along with the Fox and the Cat to "grow" money. Once he meets the Fairy, though, he changes. He says he will be good -  and means it. Then he is tricked once again, and off he goes, getting into one scrape after another. Finally, he is reunited with the Fairy, and Pinocchio leads a good life going to school and learning things until fateful day when the Fairy tells Pinocchio that she will turn him into a real boy and that he will have a party to celebrate. Pinocchio runs off to invite all his friends to the party. He invites everyone and then goes of to find his friend Candlewick to tell him this great news. When he finds Candlewick, his friend tells him that he will go to the Land of Boobies where boys do nothing but play. Pinocchio, after much persuasion, goes with him. What follows is a series of chaotic events: turning into a donkey, being sold to the circus, almost being made into a drum, and, finally, reuniting with Geppetto and turning into a real boy!