The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool -- Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

Disclosure: I was sent this book to review free of charge from PJ LaRue. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

It is January and that means Multicultural Children's Book Day (MCCBD) is approaching!! This year I am honored to be a co-host of this amazing event!! The MCCBD team’s mission to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Our young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book. We encourage readers, parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians to follow along the fun book reviews, author visits, event details, a multicultural children’s book linky and via our hashtag (#ReadYourWorld) on Twitter and other social media.

This amazing event has many sponsors including:

Multicultural Children’s Book day 2016 Medallion Level Sponsors! #ReadYourWorld

Platinum: Wisdom Tales Press * StoryQuest Books*Lil Libros

Gold: Author Tori Nighthawk*Candlewick Press,* Bharat Babies

Silver: Lee and Low Books*Chronicle Books*Capstone Young Readers T

Tuttle Publishing ,NY Media Works, LLC/KidLit TV* China Institute.org

Bronze: Pomelo Books* Author Jacqueline Woodson*Papa Lemon Books* Goosebottom Books*Author Gleeson Rebello*ShoutMouse Press*Author Mahvash Shahegh*Live Oak Media

 

As I mentioned I am a co-host along with 

All Done Monkey, Crafty Moms Share, Educators Spin on it, Growing Book by Book, Imagination Soup, I’m Not the Nanny,InCultural Parent, Kid World Citizen, Mama Smiles, Multicultural Kid Blogs, Spanish Playground
 
And a very special opportunity for teachers!! You can earn free hardcover books for your classroom or school library!!

 I always love Multicultural Children's Book Day because it introduces me to books I have never heard of but we love!! The perfect example is today's book, The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool by PJ LaRue. Now as a co-host I got to have a little say in which books we got to review and I picked this one knowing Hazel would love it. I mean what young girl doesn't love princesses with special powers? 

 This chapter book has characters that are the children of some of the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses as well as Mother Nature. There are many teachable parts to the book, but no knowledge of the myths are required. A girl named Harmonie is the daughter of Ares, the Greek god of War, and Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Before Harmonie was one her mother had Harmonie's brother, Eros (Greek god of love) take Harmonie away and hide her since their father was the god of war and Harmonie brought peace to those around her. The other children of Ares have been trained to cause and fight wars and want to capture Eros and Harmonie so it will be easier to cause wars. After a narrow escape Eros sends Harmonie to Hawaii to be protected by a group of young princesses. They are the children of various gods and goddesses of the elements. There is Breanna, the daughter of the Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire, Catie, the daughter of Greek goddess/messenger Iris, Janna the daughter of Mother Nature and Coral the daughter of Roman god Neptune. Each girl has powers from her parent and the powers will grow as they practice and grow older. Together they are going to protect Harmonie so there can be peace and love in the world. 

In this first book of a series, the girls are in Hawaii living with Coral and her parents. They are practicing their powers and going to Coral's school. They grow together and learn many things including how important it is to know when to keep a secret and when to not keep one. There are many fun times like riding dolphins and sliding down rainbows but there are also many struggles including a fight with the Children of Ares. 

Hazel loved this book and asked me to read the next book right away!! When I told her I didn't have it (the e-version of The Mystic Princesses and the Magic Show comes out today) she asked me to reread the first one. We read this book in two nights. She did not want me to stop reading it and one chapter was not enough for her. PJ was kind enough to send me a version of the next book to keep Hazel's curiosity going. Now she is trying to figure out if Athena, the Greek goddess of war and at least in this series Ares's sister is good or not. We haven't read enough to be sure. Stay tuned for a review of this book as well!!

In honor of Multicultural Children's Book Day, PJ LaRue is offering the ebook version of The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool for $0.99 now through January 27, 2016. Be sure to go check it out!! I know this will be a book Hazel will be rereading on her own as her reading skills grow. Plus it introduces her to the classic mythology that she will learn about someday. Overall an excellent book and creative story. Hazel repeatedly tells me, "I LOVE the Mystic Princesses!!" I love that the story itself is more complicated than many of the books we have read and is challenging her being able to follow a more in depth story!

Be sure to follow us for even more multicultural book reviews in the next few weeks and for the Multicultural Children's Book Day link party so you can see all the reviews of the books chosen this year!! For another great multicultural children's chapter book check out Cody and the Fountain of Happiness. It's sequel will be out this spring!! And be sure to check out our past MCCBD book reviews:

• Rainbow Stew
• The Dragon New Year
• Endeavour's Long Journey