Title: Anzard
Author: Christopher Conroy
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pages: 154
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Format: Paperback/Kindle
Author Christopher Conroy has just released a book for kids aged 8-12 called ANZARD. Teachers, parents, producers…take note! This appealing and well-written book would give Lewis Carroll (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) reason to worry. As a matter of fact if you mixed in one part Harry Potter, with one part Pinocchio then added a generous helping of Alice in Wonderland…you’d get Anzard!
ANZARD tells the story of how a young boy named Justin Cavell learns to listen to that voice inside him and trust his instincts. He also learns how his dreams and wishes can come true: Justin becomes more aware of himself and his potential to turn his dreams and wishes into reality.
One dark and stormy night, as Justin is anxiously awaiting the return of his parents and praying for their safe return from a long overdue plane trip, he is visited by Poofy, a tiny, magical pixie who comes from the faraway planet, Spiritainia. Justin is escorted to this wonderful world of Spiritainia by the Anzard pixie, Poofy. Aside from Poofy, Justin is joined by his own Tribe of Truth – that include such memorable characters as Regal the Eagle, Turner the Turtle, Chumpah the Chipmunk and Billy the Goat – define Justin’s inner voice and help him in his quest of self-discovery.
Justin also learns to resolve conflict, which arrives in the form of an evil witch named Nosefeen, and captures Poofy as Poofy is guiding Justin to the Path of Possibilities. Through these adventures, Justin grows stronger and develops self-esteem, enabling him to return to Earth, find his parents, and guide them home safely.
ANZARD opens up a world of rewards for kids who learn to develop and trust their inner voice. The book helps them to become more aware and enlightened.
The ANZARD book cover is beautifully illustrated by Peter Green Design of Glendale, California who also designs for film companies, sporting teams and many other businesses including DreamWorks, McDonald’s, The Walt Disney Company, LEGOLAND, The NBA, HBO, FOX Kids Networks, and the “Game of Thrones” fantasy drama television series, to name a few.
For More Information
- Anzard is available at Amazon
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- Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
- Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club atGoodreads.
My Review
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
An Anzard is a cross between an Angel and a Wizard and comes into being when an Angel and a Wizard living on the Planet Spiritainia commit to each other for eternity. Poofy is an Anzard and she is sent to Earth to help Justin.
Justin and Poofy go on an adventure that is supposed to help him learn to listen to his instincts. Poofy explains that that will help him find his parents, who are missing. It turns out to be even more of an adventure when things don’t go as Poofy had planned.
Christopher Conroy has a great imagination and children should enjoy the adventure but also the way the characters are named, such as the MuckMuck Men or Mr. Rockman (yes, a man made of rocks).
As a parent, I also like some of the names such as the Tribe of Truth who are Justin’s helpers (actually his inner voice). I also like the lesson of learning to follow your instincts and not just following the crowd.
About the Author
Author Christopher Conroy currently lives in Los Angeles, California, but was born in Ireland and raised in Canada. He grew up in a large family consisting of seven children, and a mother and father who by his own description were “loving, moral, fun and pure magic.” Conroy says he was heavily influenced by John Steinbeck growing up, and also likes Jack London and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but that the “main influence for ANZARD came from that magical place in my mind where I write.”
For More Information
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