Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom has been named...







Reviewer: Shirley Roe (Canada)  Allbooks Reviews



Five-year old Imogene finds herself living alone with her crotchety Aunt Agnes. Imogene and Agnes live in a mansion with a forbidden "east wing" and although the sea is right below the window, swimming in it is not allowed. Her Mother Elsie has promised to return in five years but her reason for leaving is unknown to our little heroine.

Imogene's only friend is Sampson, the butler and five years later the two find themselves down by the sea in the dark of night. Here the adventure begins. Imogene finds her way to a mysterious land under the sea, much like life on the surface but new and delightful. Here she learns why her Mother had to leave and why she too may never return to the surface.

Canadian author Teresa Saari's vivid imagination brings the characters to life. The magical Kingdom under the sea reminds us of Atlantis. Older children will delight in sharing Imogene's adventures in the Pacific Kingdom both happy and troublesome but always entertaining.
 

Reviewer: Kimberly Hayes

"Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom"

At age five, Imogene comes to live with her aunt, while waiting for her mother's return in five years. She was your normal young girl who had a deep infinity for swimming and her butler Sampson. When it was finally time to be reunited with her mother, Imogene had no idea she was entering a whole new world; embarking on an adventure of a lifetime and becoming Princess of a magical kingdom. Thus, begins the tale of "Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom" by first time author Teresa Saari.

In an age of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, enters a new magical, mystical tale that will delight children and adults alike with its unique story line. Readers will immediately become mesmerized by the suspense and ingenuity of the plot. Author Teresa Saari brings a new and delightful twist to a growing collection of mythical tales for children. "Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom" is a tale filled with magic, lighthearted fun and adventure. The author's use of the written word visually transports us to a land of make believe and introduces us to characters who are engaging and unforgettable, in a kingdom where anything and everything is possible.

Teresa Saari flawlessly demonstrates her imagination and her ability to enchant and hypnotize the reader, whether they are 8 or 80. Although this book is for a younger audience, I found it thoroughly enjoyable. "Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom" is an ideal book for story time, not only for the listener but for the reader as well. The author has made a smashing success of her first children's novel, and I can't wait to hear about Imogene's future adventures. It's this reader's opinion that, "Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom" is very well crafted and a must read.
 

Reviewer:  Christine Louise Hohlbaum

Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom by Teresa Saari is a fantasy story any child would love. Good conquers evil, the young girl turned princess saves the day, and a family is reunited after years of separation. It is a feel-good story with enough of a roller coaster ride to keep the reader on the edge of her seat until the very end.

Saari works effectively with her readers’ internal suspense, drawing them in with a tale of an underwater world filled with discovery, jubilation and deceit. While some of the story’s construct is rather implausible, her overall storyline carries the book, leaving the reader satisfied at the outcome. It often reads like a movie, and I am certain Disney would have a ball filming Imogene with its colorful, well-developed characters and scenery only the best of imaginations could have conjured.

Reviewer Christine Louise Hohlbaum, American author of Diary of a Mother (2003) and SAHM I Am (2005) lives near Munich with her husband and two children. http://www.diaryofamother.com