Long ago and far away . . .There was a castle. But not just any castle. This was a castle that glittered and sparkled and rose majestically above the banks of the winding Winono River: the Castle Corona.And in this castle lived a family. But not just any family. This was the family of King Guido: rich and royal and . . . spoiled. And King Guido was so spoiled that neither jewels nor gold nor splendid finery could please him, for what he longed for most was . . . a nap and a gown that didn't itch.Far below this grand, glittering castle lived two peasants. But not just any peasants. These peasants, though poor and pitiful, were plucky and proud. And in possession of a stolen pouch. But not just any pouch. A pouch whose very contents had the power to unlock secrets and transform lives . . .And oh, there is an author. But not just any author. Sharon Creech is a Newbery Medal-winning author whose tantalizing tale will not only dazzle and delight but also entertain and excite. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Actress Wiltsie deftly narrates the Newbery Medalist's protracted fairy tale, which takes place in something like a medieval Italian kingdom. The story unfolds in short episodic chapters that follow two orphaned peasant children, Pia and Enzio, who discover a leather pouch marked with King Guido's seal. Before they can understand the meaning of the objects inside the pouch, they are whisked off to the Castle Corona to become "tasters" for the king, who is fearful of being poisoned. Wiltsie alternates effortlessly between narrator and the many different voices: outspoken Pia, arrogant Prince Vito, silly and spoiled Princess Fabrizia, aristocratic King Guido. The playful tone, the mystery of a thief's identity and the wide range of voices will give listeners several hours of enjoyment. Ages 8-12. Simultaneous release with the HarperCollins/Cotler hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 17, 2007). (Nov.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 3-6-Long ago and far away there lived a king, a queen, the heir to the throne, the second prince, a beautiful princess, and two orphan children. The cast of delightful characters in Sharon Creech's gentle fairy tale (Joanna Cotler Books, 2007) will intrigue and entertain listeners. When a supposed thief (unheard of in the simple land) charges out of the castle on horseback with a mysterious pouch, the royal community is in an uproar. Meanwhile, Pia and Enzio, the two orphans from a neighboring village, discover the stolen pouch dropped by the thief and find themselves suddenly connected with the castle in ways they never imagined. Jennifer Wiltsie does a wonderful job of giving voice to the inimitable players in this often humorous tale. She perfectly captures the tone and pace of the story, transporting listeners to a land both enchanting and droll.-Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

In a departure for Creech, whose previous novels have all been set in the present day, the Newbery Medal winner offers a good-hearted, gently comic fairy tale set in feudal Italy. Using parallel stories that eventually dovetail, Creech introduces the Castle Corona's sheltered, slightly ridiculous royal family and Pia and Enzio, orphaned peasant children from the nearby village. Brief, cleverly paced episodes reveal that several fixtures of castle life the king and queen's respective hermit advisors, and the court storyteller subtly engineer Pia and Enzio's appointment as royal food tasters, for purposes linked to a stolen pouch found by the children early on. The novel's many characters are more allegorical than flesh-and-blood, and the hasty revelations at story's end don't entirely satisfy. But the engaging, puzzlelike plot will attract readers, as the novel's heady themes, from wisdom to empathy to the fate-changing power of story, prompt them to deeper thought. Diaz's full-color chapter-heading artwork and ornamental flourishes lend the novel substantial aesthetic appeal.--Mattson, Jennifer Copyright 2007 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.