Book Review and Giveaway for Clive Cussler's new Children's Book, Tha Adventures of Hotsy Totsy
Renee Hand
May 07, 2010
The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy by Clive Cussler
(Philomel Books, May 13, 2010)
The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy is a flavorful combination of adventure and youthful ingenuity.
This story begins with a magical machine in the shape of a small box, which is given to twins, Lacey and Casey Nicefolk, as a gift from a mysterious man who had helped out on their farm. This machine has the capability of changing any toy-sized object into one of life-sized proportions. Realizing the machineīs capability, Lacey and Casey try it out by enlarging a model wooden boat, one which they are determined to enter into the Gold Cup Grand National Race in San Francisco, California. But the twins are going to be getting more than what they bargained for in Hotsy Totsy. The boat has a mind of its own, with determination and spirit, and is simply magical.
With the twinsī goal in mind of winning the race, they neglect to see the evil that lurks in the darkness, threatening to stop them. A phantom black boat, which houses old enemies, soon surfaces and kidnaps the twins, taking them to the island of Alcatraz. However, help comes in the shape of their loyal dog, Floopy, and of course, Hotsy Totsy.
The twins are freed and begin and finish the race with an outcome so unexpected, that it causes the world to fall in love with them, because winning is not everything. What the twins discover in themselves is more than the satisfaction of crossing the finish line; it is the compassion, kindness, and unselfishness along the way that shows what true heroes are all about.
True to Clive Cusslerīs love and knowledge of boats and adventure, he creates a wonderful tale in his first childrenīs book, a 192-page adventure filled with intrigue and suspense. Children of all ages will enjoy this middle-grade novel and will look forward to reading many more interesting adventures of the Nicefolk twins.
The one thing this reviewer would like to have learned more about was the adventures of Vin Fiz, which is an air plane that the twins first used the magic box on, making it life-size. It was on one of their adventures with Vin Fiz that the twins meet up with the villains from The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy. There is quite a bit of information in the story which insinuates many things about a previous adventure that the reader knows very little about and the author keeps referring to, making this reviewer think there was another childrenīs book out there that was a prelude to this one, which there wasnīt. A little confusing on that point but otherwise this reviewer can see how adding the information could bring suspense to the story, but The Adventures of Hotsy Tosty really could have been book two in this series of adventures and not the first.
Overall though, an enjoyable read.
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover Price: $14.99
This book will be offered up as a giveaway for anyone who is interested. The book officially comes out in May so the giveaway will go until beginning of June. Here are the rules:
1) To enter in this giveaway you must become a follower of Renee Hand's blog http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com and her website at http://www.reneeahand.com/
2) Blog her and let her know that you are following both sites.
3) The winner will be picked at random in June.
Feel free to pass this information on to whomever you feel would enjoy this book. Thanks so much! This review is of reviewers own personal opinion, it was not paid for. The book she is giving away is not the review copy but a copy she has purchased specifically for this giveaway.
Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Crypto-Capers series. Look for her upcoming release The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, The Great Pie Catastrophe for lower elementary.
(Philomel Books, May 13, 2010)
The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy is a flavorful combination of adventure and youthful ingenuity.
This story begins with a magical machine in the shape of a small box, which is given to twins, Lacey and Casey Nicefolk, as a gift from a mysterious man who had helped out on their farm. This machine has the capability of changing any toy-sized object into one of life-sized proportions. Realizing the machineīs capability, Lacey and Casey try it out by enlarging a model wooden boat, one which they are determined to enter into the Gold Cup Grand National Race in San Francisco, California. But the twins are going to be getting more than what they bargained for in Hotsy Totsy. The boat has a mind of its own, with determination and spirit, and is simply magical.
With the twinsī goal in mind of winning the race, they neglect to see the evil that lurks in the darkness, threatening to stop them. A phantom black boat, which houses old enemies, soon surfaces and kidnaps the twins, taking them to the island of Alcatraz. However, help comes in the shape of their loyal dog, Floopy, and of course, Hotsy Totsy.
The twins are freed and begin and finish the race with an outcome so unexpected, that it causes the world to fall in love with them, because winning is not everything. What the twins discover in themselves is more than the satisfaction of crossing the finish line; it is the compassion, kindness, and unselfishness along the way that shows what true heroes are all about.
True to Clive Cusslerīs love and knowledge of boats and adventure, he creates a wonderful tale in his first childrenīs book, a 192-page adventure filled with intrigue and suspense. Children of all ages will enjoy this middle-grade novel and will look forward to reading many more interesting adventures of the Nicefolk twins.
The one thing this reviewer would like to have learned more about was the adventures of Vin Fiz, which is an air plane that the twins first used the magic box on, making it life-size. It was on one of their adventures with Vin Fiz that the twins meet up with the villains from The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy. There is quite a bit of information in the story which insinuates many things about a previous adventure that the reader knows very little about and the author keeps referring to, making this reviewer think there was another childrenīs book out there that was a prelude to this one, which there wasnīt. A little confusing on that point but otherwise this reviewer can see how adding the information could bring suspense to the story, but The Adventures of Hotsy Tosty really could have been book two in this series of adventures and not the first.
Overall though, an enjoyable read.
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover Price: $14.99
This book will be offered up as a giveaway for anyone who is interested. The book officially comes out in May so the giveaway will go until beginning of June. Here are the rules:
1) To enter in this giveaway you must become a follower of Renee Hand's blog http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com and her website at http://www.reneeahand.com/
2) Blog her and let her know that you are following both sites.
3) The winner will be picked at random in June.
Feel free to pass this information on to whomever you feel would enjoy this book. Thanks so much! This review is of reviewers own personal opinion, it was not paid for. The book she is giving away is not the review copy but a copy she has purchased specifically for this giveaway.
Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Crypto-Capers series. Look for her upcoming release The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, The Great Pie Catastrophe for lower elementary.
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