Matt B Gets Lit reviewed Pages & Co. by Paola Escobar
Review of "Pages & Co.: The Bookwanderers"
5 stars
Yada, yada, yada, something something, "book by its cover." However, when I saw this one sitting on the bargain table at a bookstore, I couldn't resist. I love creative works that are "meta" or self-referential. So this was a quick buy for me.
"Pages & Co.: The Bookwanderers" follows 11-year-old Tilly Pages, who lives with her grandparents above their cozy bookshop. Tilly has always loved stories, but her life changes when she discovers she can "bookwander," stepping into the pages of her favorite books and interacting with beloved characters.
As Tilly explores this magical ability, she encounters characters like Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Wonderland. Tilly also uncovers secrets about her mother, who disappeared years ago, and learns about the danger that comes with bookwandering. Like in any good story, there are villains to face, and Tilly’s journey is as much about bravery as it is about the …
Yada, yada, yada, something something, "book by its cover." However, when I saw this one sitting on the bargain table at a bookstore, I couldn't resist. I love creative works that are "meta" or self-referential. So this was a quick buy for me.
"Pages & Co.: The Bookwanderers" follows 11-year-old Tilly Pages, who lives with her grandparents above their cozy bookshop. Tilly has always loved stories, but her life changes when she discovers she can "bookwander," stepping into the pages of her favorite books and interacting with beloved characters.
As Tilly explores this magical ability, she encounters characters like Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Wonderland. Tilly also uncovers secrets about her mother, who disappeared years ago, and learns about the danger that comes with bookwandering. Like in any good story, there are villains to face, and Tilly’s journey is as much about bravery as it is about the magic of books.
I enjoy anything that puts a twist on classic, well-known tales. "Remix" stories require a special skill in writing, because there's a fine line between "respectful yet captivating reference" and "corny, money-grabbing namedrop."
Full disclosure, this is a book written with kids in mind, making it a quick read. However, I found it absolutely charming, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. I can't wait to see what other stories Tilly wanders through.