Marcy and the riddle of the sphinx

The first book in the Brownstone's Mythical Collection series followed Arthur on a grand adventure in a loose retelling of the binding of Fenrir (Arthur and the Golden Rope, 2017). The second focuses on Arthur's daughter, Marcy, who's afraid of the dark and worried that her phobia is disappointing her brave explorer parents. When Arthur goes missing in Egypt, Marcy musters up the courage to go after him, and she quickly gets caught up in Toth's scheme to steal Ra's moon eye. But kind, honest Marcy is smarter than Toth imagined, and she's far braver than she ever dreamed. The genial, gentle tone of this light exploration of Egyptian mythology is beautifully matched by Todd-Stanton's gorgeous, jewel-toned artwork, featuring bold colors, jaunty cartoon figures, and fine-lined background details imbuing each scene with dreamy atmosphere. A frame narrative that emphasizes overcoming fears adds a warm, empowering coda to Marcy's grand adventure. With its hybrid format, this lushly illustrated volume would be an inviting transition from picture books to graphic novels.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2018 Booklist

Gr 1-3-This picture book/graphic novel hybrid centers on Marcy, an ancestor of the story's unnamed narrator. Marcy is born into a family of adventurers, but alas-she is afraid of the dark. Is she is even a real Brownstone? When her father leaves on "urgent business" lasting more than a week, Marcy uses a magical Wind Weaver feather to embark on a journey to find him. She soon comes up against Thoth, Egyptian god of knowledge and the moon. Thoth refuses to release Marcy's father from the Sphinx's secret tunnels unless she brings him the moon eye of Ra. Marcy must jump aboard a flying ship, manned by other members of the Egyptian pantheon, where she finds that her honesty and integrity serve her well in saving the day and overcoming her fears. Todd-Stanton's whimsical illustrations feature mazelike details chronicling Marcy's quest throughout the book. However, though the story is enjoyable, the conflict wraps up a little too neatly. VERDICT A secondary purchase offering a fun foray into both graphic format texts and Egyptian mythology.-Maria O'Toole, Carroll Manor Elementary School, Adamstown, MD © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

When her brave father is trapped inside the Sphinx, a fearful young girl must summon her courage to save him.Marcy Brownstone's father is a brave explorer who, in the previous volume, Arthur and the Golden Rope (2016), had exciting adventures based on Norse mythology. Harboring fears of the dark, Marcy worries she has not been imbued with the same fortitude as her father. When her father leaves on a quest to retrieve a magical book he believes will help her, he becomes trapped inside the Sphinx that holds it. Marcy must now gather up her resolve and carry out his rescue. This extrication is not without its challenges, as Marcy encounters larger-than-life Egyptian gods, including Thoth, Isis, and Ra. Weaving the theme of finding courage with a whimsical mix of Egyptian mythology, Todd-Stanton has constructed a remarkable world that both delights and edifies. The lush, immersive illustrations, with many full-page action sequences, are sure to enchant and envelop readers. Marcy's white, heteronormative family gives a nod to conventional fairy-tale tropes with her nearly absent mother (who does make a fleeting cameo). However, Todd-Stanton weaves in a gentle feminist flourish as timid Marcy overcomes her fears to save her father and creates a thoughtfully distinctive take on the father-daughter relationship.A wonderfully charming mixture of myth and fairy tale. (Picture book. 4-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.