When Sprout’s father presents him with a beautifully bound book as a birthday present, he is delighted—he loves books! However, when he discovers the book is blank inside, he is puzzled. His father explains that this is his book, it’s to be the story of his life which he must write himself. Like the dutiful son he is, Sprout sets off to have some experiences to inspire his writing. From a Knight who doesn’t quite live up to his tall tales to a librarian who delivers more questions than answers and a Wizard who is both an owl and a forest, Sprout finds plenty to write in his book along the way, and—what is more important—wisdom.
Written like many of the Jack stories in traditional fairy tales, Sprout is an engaging adventure story about a boy who sets off into the world to find his fortune and himself. Like many traditional fairytales, there are parables and morals at every twist of the road for Sprout. Also, like classic fairy tales, to keep things interesting, there are dragons, knights, magic, witches, and heroines in distress.
Colorful digital illustrations lend a child-like quality to the story as the reader learns, through Sprout’s encounters, about the basic building blocks of stories and knowledge: adjectives, nouns, verbs, and even how to construct a sound argument. A study guide and glossary at the end of the book make this story a great choice for classroom reading.
Overall, Sprout is a fun and instructive fairytale adventure, perfect for readers wondering how to go about writing their own life stories.
—The Children’s Book Review