Funny Pick: The Labyrinth of Doom (Once Upon a Tim, Book 2)

 

The Labyrinth of Doom 

Once Upon a Tim, Book 2

by Stuart Woods

Illustrated by Stacy Curtis

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

2022

160 pages

ISBN: 9781534499287

Although this is book 2, readers are given enough information to understand what happened in book one without having it in hand. I strongly recommend reading both books for entertainment purposes. 

In book 2 of the series, Tim and Belinda must rescue Princess Grace from the Labyrinth of Doom. Tim is a winsome narrator using sarcasm and wit to entertain the reader on every page. Tim explains being a knight is pretty tough, but it's better than being a peasant. 

We meet the knights of Merryland: there's Sir Vyval , SirVaylance, Sir Mount, Sir Render, Sir Fass, Sir Comference, Sir Cuss and Sir Eberal (each name a pun). Tim also includes "IQ Boosters" to help the reader gain vocabulary in an entertaining way. Each IQ Booster includes the definition of the word but used in  a joking fashion as in "laborious." Tim says if your parents are worried you're reading a book with illustrations, "...you can tell your parents this book is educational." He uses laborious to say, "Doing my chores this morning was really laborious, and now I'd like to relax by reading The Labyrinth of Doom."

 With trusty Rover, a fr-dog at their side, the two enter the labyrinth. Their friend Ferkle, the village idiot, decides not to go inside but to search for the person who designed the labyrinth and figure out how to escape it. Belinda and Tim face cave snakes, a giant made of rubble, the scissors of doom, the harpies, the chasm of cave sharks and many other scary tests until they meet Chad, the minotaur, who's anything but scary. 

The illustrations are PERFECT and comical. Stuart Gibbs never fails to deliver a fun adventure that readers will love. Stacy Curtis captures Tim and Belinda's personalities bringing the story to life especially for struggling and reluctant readers. 

Highly, highly recommended grades 4 and up. An amazing read! The Labyrinth of Doom is the most fun you'll have reading a book!