Regulars
CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH
Have you been to Zartarbia?
by Jo Puddy-Wells, Deputy Head Teacher, the British School of Bucharest
December 2004
The Zartarbia Tales: Isabella Zophie and Le Cirque de Magique, by Ana Fischel, Pen Press Publishers Ltd., London , 2004, 163pp. ISBN 1-904754-72-4, (available online at www.amazon.co.uk )
As the Christmas season is fast approaching, readers of Vivid
with young children might be relieved to know that a new stocking-filler has recently been launched that will neither send parents scuttling into the video-game store nor cost them a small fortune.
With the genre of children's literature still experiencing its biggest boom since The Famous Five first hit the shelves in 1942, it is pleasing to see the arrival of a thoughtful and inspiring new story book aimed at the wizard-weary young reader. Reviews of such newcomers will inevitably draw, if not comparison, at least reference to the Harry Potter books as a benchmark. In many ways however, Ana Fischel's Zartarbia Tales rightly deserves such a comparable accolade, as her story is equally as enticing and seductive as the works of Miss Rowling.
Coincidentally, like HP, this tale, entitled Isabella Zophie and Le Cirque de Magique is the first in a series of seven, but for very different reasons. Conceived around the seven deadly sins, each book, the second of which is due out next year (Isabella Zophie and The Hotel Gastronomic), takes the reader into a beautiful and beguiling world of swirling fantasy and imagination, where the central character, Isabella, comes face to face with strange and shady protagonists linked to the theme (or sin) of each book. Pride being the subject of the first book, the sin is embodied in the sparklingly narcissistic form of Mistress Sectica. Through a series of bizarre twists and chance meetings, Isabella finds herself at the centre of a plot to rid the mystical Kingdom of Zartarbia of the constant threats of ėThe Syndicate' which threatens to destroy its peaceful utopia.
The characters are wonderfully and intimately portrayed, aided not least by the stunning illustrations (also by Fischel) throughout the book. For the young reader, the story is easy to follow, yet rich with adventure, humour and the style of imaginative storytelling that lures them into an escapist world they will not want to leave. The author has also created an accompanying website (www.zartarbia.com) where readers can follow the storyline, meet the characters and by entering a game, win a unique custom designed locket, by the crystal jewellery makers, Swarovski.
Isabella Zophie and Le Cirque de Magique is an utterly absorbing and tantalising experience for young readers and their parents. Fischel should be commended for introducing children's reading to a new undiscovered world of vibrancy, intelligence and exoticisms, which will keep them spellbound long after the initial euphoria of a new Christmas Gameboy has evaporated.
The book has a wonderful pace and energy to it, not burdened by excessive description but just a 'hold onto your seat and go for the ride' style. Since parallels are so de riguer: welcome to Cirque du Soleil meets the Wizard of Oz meets Moulin Rouge.