By DONAL ANTHONY FOLEY
Donal Anthony Foley reviews The Prince Martin books by Brandon Hale, illustrated by Jason Zimdars (Kindle, paperback, and hardback). Available at amazon.com.
The Prince Martin books, which are primarily meant for young children, came about due to Brandon Hale being deployed overseas. As a way of maintaining contact with his young son, he started to tell him stories over the phone about a certain Prince Martin. His son found these stories so captivating that when the author returned home he decided, at his wife’s prompting, to turn the stories into a series of children’s books.
There have been three books so far: Prince Martin Wins His Sword, Prince Martin and the Thieves, and Prince Martin and the Dragons, and a fourth is in the works.
The books are full color and large print, and recount the adventures of a young prince in a certain kingdom, which seems to be a mixture of medieval times and modernity — we have kings, castles, and so on, but also some rather modern-seeming villains, with names like “Ace,” “Hoss,” and “The Boss.”
The stories are well crafted, but what makes them different is the fact that they are written in the style of the Dr. Seuss books — that is, in rhyming poetic meter.
They are actually written in what is technically known as “anapestic tetrameter” which comprises four “anapests,” that is, rhythmic units, which in turn are composed of two weak syllables followed by one strong syllable, known as the beat. Despite its obscure-sounding name, this poetic meter has apparently been used by many well-known poets.
To give an example, the first book begins like this: “In a faraway land, many long ages past, a young boy awoke with his heart beating fast. As he opened his eyes, his dreams fled with the night — he’d had dreams of adventure and dragons to fight. And he’d dreamt of a dog with a lopsided grin, who stuck by his side both through thick and through thin.”
The dog he eventually teams up with is known as Sir Ray, and he acts as Prince Martin’s companion, along with other characters who joint them as the series progresses, including an elf, and a wolf named John — whom our heroes save from danger.
The above quote nicely illustrates an endearing facet of the books, that is, like the work of Dr. Seuss, there is a mixture of storytelling and humor in them, something which is certainly appealing for most children — and adults, too.
Since the books are really designed to be read aloud to children, then that element of humor is important both for the adult and the child, as a shared experience. And the rhyming nature of the text will certainly help to bring the stories alive for young hearers.
Another example, among many, of the humor in the books, is found in the second book in the series, Prince Martin and the Thieves. In this, Prince Martin and Sir Ray are captured by a gang of desperadoes who are terrorizing the kingdom. The leader of the gang proposes that they compose a ransom note to be sent to Prince Martin’s father, the King, saying:
“We’ll compose a quick note to this king that will say: ‘If you want your kid back, then get ready to pay. Send a chest full of gold for your prince that we’ve got. And we’ll throw in the mutt just to sweeten the pot’.”
The third book in the series, Prince Martin and the Dragons, has a more involved plot than the earlier titles, but is done in the same poetic meter.
There is a moral element to the stories, and a focus on the idea that the difficulties in life are there to be overcome, rather than shied away from. And also on the idea that doing our duty sometimes involves danger. But at the same time, if we are successful in helping someone, we shouldn’t boast about it, but rather behave modestly and humbly.
Similarly, the theme of the importance of loyalty to friends is strongly emphasized, as is the idea that powerful friendships are often born out of shared adversity. And also the idea that a good deed done to us is something that we should remember, and seek to repay if at all possible.
The books also deal with the fact that a child will face choices between doing something to suit his own tastes when really he ought to be looking to help those in need, such as someone who is down on his luck. But if we do act in this way, our kind acts can pay dividends, and we are often paid back abundantly in all sorts of surprising ways.
Another theme present in the series, the idea that some things can only be learnt through experience, is certainly something that children need to be aware of.
The author also illustrates the point that children need to look beneath the surface to how people really are, their good moral and intellectual qualities, and not just be dazzled by beauty or outward appearances.
This is how he describes the Queen, Prince Martin’s mother:
“She had golden-red hair and a beautiful face: a most elegant lady, abounding in grace. With a heart for the poor, she was caring and kind, and her beauty was matched by the strength of her mind.”
And a meeting with the wolf character, John, is described as follows: “So they ran to the lair of a timber-wolf pack — which I don’t recommend because wolves can attack. Oh, but these wolves were friendly, especially John, who was known for his brains just as much for his brawn. With his keen ears and sight, John the wolf was quite wild, but stayed calm and collected, unless he was riled.”
So there is an underlying Christian moral sense to the stories in the books, which means they both educate and entertain young minds.
The Prince Martin books will predominately appeal to young boys, but that’s not to say girls won’t also enjoy them. And maybe in future books in the series, there might be an opportunity to introduce a Princess who needs to be rescued from some villainous characters. . . .
There is an element of physicality about some of the conflicts between good and evil in the books. The Tom and Jerry like antics of the various characters might be a bit much for very sensitive children — but most youngsters will no doubt thoroughly enjoy the adventures of Prince Martin and his friends.
The books are beautifully illustrated in full color, and there is even the potential to perhaps turn them into a comic-book series — but that would be a lot more work for the illustrator.
In sum, these are books that parents and grandparents can enjoyably share with their children or grandchildren.
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(Donal Anthony Foley is the author of a number of books on Marian Apparitions, and maintains a related website at www.theotokos.org.uk. He has also a written two time-travel/adventure books for young people — details can be found at: http://glaston-chronicles.co.uk/.)
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