Candy Wars I and II: The Sugar Hit by Paperback

A dual volume, contains the original book, "Candy Wars: The Tooth Fairies vs The Candy King" and the sequel, "Candy Wars II: Sweet Revenge." Included are my reviews of each book.

***

Candy Wars I:

It's been many years since I've read a kids book from start to finish. I'd purchased "Candy Wars" to read with my 7 year-old granddaughter. Her first visit we took turns reading. She managed her part without much help from this old geezer. By the time of her next visit she was on her own, I'd finished without her.

At its heart this is the story of a fantasy land where tooth fairies live when not slipping a few bucks under your pillow. Yes, fairies, it's too much work for just one. When little brother James disappears his sister Emily manages to follow him into the land of the tooth fairies. The fantasy land R.G. Cordiner has created will spark a kid's imagination while Emily and James encounter a castle made of teeth, chocolate-arrow-shooting snowmen, a toothless dragon, and more. Buried inside the adventure are a few lessons they might not realize they've learned about the evils of war and importance of family.

****

Candy Wars II:

Although not folkloric, both "Candy Wars" books have the qualities of a fairy tale as I think of them. The experts are still arguing over a definition. The setting is (mostly) in a magical enchanted land populated with mythical beings. The characters experience adventure and in the process are transformed.

Cordiner's distinctive style uses made up words for sounds. Whether intended or not, I see this as a nod to the oral tradition of fairy tales and other folkloric stories. It makes them fun to read aloud and readers in the prime age range for this book have fun making the sounds while getting practical practice in "sounding out" words.

Another quality I imagine is (or should be) in the definition of a fairy tale is that they teach their audience something by example. Where the original "Candy Wars" had lessons about war and family, "Sweet Revenge" has lessons about friendship and responsibility. My eight year-old granddaughter just ate this book up. I think your kids will like it too.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

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