A giant in a land of ogres, witches, wizards, and talking foxes is where The Magical Meniscus begins. Cleo is a large-hearted but dim-witted giant. He is loyal to his friends and kind to all he meets, including the ‘little people’. Cleo is on a mission that is twofold: He must win the love of his girl, Nellie, and he desperately seeks a cure for his raging headaches. His quest takes him on a fanciful journey through a brilliantly illustrated fairy-tale land. He befriends a wizard who has his own agenda. The giant learns a lot along the way but somehow manages to keep his integrity intact.
GranRan makes an oft told fairy tale concept feel fresh and unique. There are many aspects of his story that I really loved. The characters all have their own personalities and manage to add a bit of humor along the way. The pictures really helped bring the story to life. Young readers will enjoy the thematic elements of finding love and maintaining virtue in a world with evils lurking around every corner. Although the ending felt like a little bit of a letdown, overall the book was a solid adventure. Pick up this book… you’ll definitely be rooting for Cleo!
