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Fredericksburg Parent
Browsing:Schools - What to Read
What to Read

Author Story: James Pettinelli

Lenora Kruk-MallanophyBy Lenora Kruk-MallanophyJuly 3, 20242 Mins Read
Author Story: James Pettinelli
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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.

Book Nook July 2024
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email
Lenora Kruk-Mallanophy

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