Review by Booklist Review
Through simple text and dramatic illustrations, this picture book from the illustrator of Wall (2014) tells a story about the power of community. A much-loved young prince is left in charge of the kingdom when his parents sail away, until the country is suddenly invaded and the prince captured and imprisoned far away. He escapes and attempts the difficult journey home, pursued by his captors. But help is at the ready, from individuals to everyone in his kingdom, banding together to hide him in plain sight and face down his pursuers. Touches of red appear throughout Cole's illustrations, often outlining the prince and the landscape. Most of the scenes are set at night, with a preponderance of diagonal lines capturing mountains, prison cells, stairwells, and rooftops, adding to the dramatic impact. Two-page spreads are interspersed with panels and single-page illustrations, adding a rhythm to the escape and chase. Pair with The Whispering Town (2014) for another version of a community sheltering those in need.--Ching, Edie Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Game of Thrones this is not: debut author Roscoe and illustrator Cole (Wall) set this adventure in a modernish monarchy, and no one meets a gory end. But their story of a young prince defying an invading force while dressed in red pajamas certainly strives to tap into the high-stakes drama and chiaroscuro imagery of high fantasy. The invaders arrive as an eerie black-sail flotilla in the dead of a snowy night (one of Cole's many bravura nocturnal images) after the unsuspecting inhabitants have "shut their doors and lit their fires." Left alone by his parents, the Red Prince is captured and thrown into a dungeon, but he escapes with the help of his faithful dog, and a chase ensues across a frozen landscape. The people of Avala cleverly and sartorially rally to his cause, a turn of events that borrows a little from the classic "I am Spartacus" scene and a little from Where's Waldo? Roscoe and Cole never let things get too dark or dire for the young prince, but the cinematic imagery and breathless escapes should keep the target audience rapt. Ages 2-5. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-In the absence of a boy's royal parents, strangers have invaded the island kingdom of Avala and imprisoned the young prince. Shortly after this disheartening start, the boy and his dog manage to escape. As the prince makes his way to the capital, his distinctive red pajamas draw the attention of his pursuers. Fortunately, the people are willing to help, and in their final act of defiance, the nation unites to save its beloved royal; the predominant blues get swept away by a sea of red. At all times, the illustrator's digital coloring is dazzling and evocative, establishing a tone of tension and courage. Even the background color of the text boxes reflects this by changing to tonal hues. As a whole, the visuals have a cinematic quality; shots are nicely framed and showcase a variety of perspectives to pull readers in. While the narration only summarizes events, some sequential images do flesh out the details. Older readers will find it difficult to believe that a horde of unarmed people could possibly drive an armed force away so peaceably. However, those who accept the fairy tale-like setting will have no problem seeing the charm of this optimistic tale. VERDICT A visually stunning work about a brave young boy and a people who come together to defend him. Sure to satisfy fans of fairy tales.-Rachel Forbes, formerly at Oakville Public Library, Ont., Canada © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
One dark night, stealthy invaders abduct a young prince while his parents are away. The invaders, however, are no match for the determined prince and his loyal subjects. Eye-catching digital compositions with dynamic perspectives, brilliant chiaroscuro, and expert use of color amplify the story's drama; see, for example, the spreads on which hordes of citizens wearing red hide their red-pajama-clad prince in plain sight. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
When a young prince is captured, the townspeople come to his aid in a surprising way.In the dark of night, strangers armed with guns sail to the land of Avala and seize the city. They grab the boy prince, still in his red pajamas, and imprison him in a tall tower. With the help of a sneaky canine, the prince escapes but must travel far to get back to his city. Like a cardinal in a stark winter scene, his red pajamas stand out against the snow, making him easy to track. When he finally gets home, the strangers are closing in. However, he flings open the city gates, and all his people are dressed head to toe in red. The prince was invisible in a sea of brilliant color. The crimson crowd spills over an immense, wordless double-page spread, hiding the prince and bringing him to safety. However, in a strange, final reach for tension that feels as though it were added to meet page count, the prince separates himself from the crowd to chase his dog and is cornered by the strangers once again, necessitating that the townspeople save him a second time. The prince and his royal parents are white, as are most, though not all, of the citizens of Avala. A fable that attempts a spirit of community and loyalty but falls a bit flat in storytelling. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
