Skip to main content

Author Story: James Pettinelli

Jul 03, 2024 03:19PM ● By Lenora Kruk-Mallanophy

Children’s imaginations will soar when they meet a little troll called Zagaboo in a book series by James Pettinelli. The Zagaboo series covers science with adventures and mystical creatures, providing children with something new to learn in each book. Illustrator Allen A. Boyles brings the characters to life with colorful, creative pictures that will make kids feel they’re right there in the middle of one of the fun escapades.

Zagaboo is a troll king and ruler of a magical kingdom set underground beneath the largest tree in the woods in “The Legend of Zagaboo.” He lives there with many other trolls, all of whom have very different talents. Their good friends, the gophers, helped them build their magical community with everything they need: swimming pools, dance studios and jungle gyms.

“Maddie Swims Troll Style” features a girl who doesn’t know how to swim and is nervous about attending her best friend’s pool party the next day. She has just a little time to learn how to swim, but the dilemma is solved when she recites “Zagaboo, Zagaboo, where are you.” After saying the words, Zagaboo, the troll king, appears and comes to the rescue. He assigns two friendly swimming trolls to teach Maddie to swim.

For children interested in dinosaurs, Pettinelli has the ideal book. In “Charlie Digs Dinosaurs,” Charlie recites “Zagaboo, Zagaboo, where are you,” and then the fun begins. Charlie finds himself heading for Zagaboo’s kingdom by riding on top of a speedy gopher. He has company in Dr. Razz, a paleontology troll, who guides him in unearthing dinosaur bones and the proper way to dig them up.

With rave reviews for The Zagaboo series, one reader said, “If you’re looking for a book for your child that you can enjoy alongside, this is the one for you. The illustrations are colorful, vibrant and really bring the story to life. The story itself is wonderfully imaginative and teaches children great lessons about courage and open-mindedness.”

Pettinelli knows what kind of books children like to read because he’s also a kid at heart. He loves NERF wars, cartoons and Cheetos. A father of two, the Virginia resident has worked in anthropology and government contracting.

To purchase the Zagaboo books and others by Pettinelli, visit Amazon.

Get Our Newsletters
* indicates required
FredParent eletters
Read Our Digital Issue
From Our Partners