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The flash
and lure of video games and television can make good
old-fashioned books seem rather boring in the eyes of young
children. Still, once children get turned on to reading,
they're raring to go.
There's a
new series of chapter books on the market that doesn't star
Barbie, Arthur, or any such recognizable character, yet
still manages to attract young readers: Geronimo Stilton.
This new
series is a monthly series of chapter books featuring the
adventures of Geronimo Stilton, a resident of Mouse Island,
and a rather reluctant adventurer. The pages of these books
come alive with full-color art as well as plenty of
highlighted, colorful text that is often rebus style. Right
away, young readers are drawn in.
Geronimo
Stilton is the number one bestselling series in Italy,
surpassing even Harry Potter. The series has been translated
into 36 languages in over 180 countries. This is
Scholastic's first monthly series since Goosebumps.
The first
four books in the series have been released, with new
editions on their way each month:
#1: Lost
Treasure of the Emerald Eye Geronimo's sister, Thea,
finds a treasure map of an island, and the two quickly
become involved in a fantastic treasure hunt.
#2: The
Curse of the Cheese Pyramid Geronimo travels to Egypt to
interview an archaeologist, but becomes lost inside the
Great Cheese Pyramid along the way.
#3: Cat
and Mouse in a Haunted House Cats haunt an old castle
that Geronimo finds when he loses his way in a dark forest.
#4: I'm
Too Fond of My Fur Geronimo visits Mouse Everest, and
getting there is an adventure in itself.
The
vocabulary used in the books is strong, so although the
series is great for reluctant readers, it's not ideal for
struggling readers. These books are hearty reads, presented
in such a manner that they seem like light fare. Excellent!
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