Reviews for Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure
Book Review Featured in July 2006 Wee Ones Children's Magazine
It's always fun to imagine but wouldn't it be great to be a real
knight, ride a dragon and save the fairies? This beautifully illustrated
picture book written in rhyme is a story about a young boy Alexander
who does all that and more. The rhyme is well done and flows easily so
that the main focus is always on the story and the illustrations. The
story is empowering to young children who are shown that they can be
heroes just like Alexander.
In The Library Reviews / Sharon MgGinty / July 2006
In this lavishly illustrated tale, Stephen Brooks introduces readers to Alexander Asenby, a little boy
who has fantastic journeys at night while his parents sleep.
Opening the magical closet door, transports Alexander to a magical realm filled with adventures,
magic and heroism. Here he is a brave night atop a dragon steed, savior of the fairy realm.
After many readings and much bargaining, I finally convinced my children to let me borrow this book
long enough to write my review. Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure is simply enchanting. Rich,
soft illustrations transport readers to another world, while the story itself captures the joy of childish
make-believe. As a parent, I appreciate the fact Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure encourages
children to indulge in make-believe and use their imagination. And the fact Alexander rides a
dragon instead of slaying them delighted this dragon-lover to no end.
Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure is a remarkable journey for the young and young at heart!
Beverly Rowe - Author "Babes to Teens"/Myshelf/July 2006
What magical worlds await Alexander on the other side of his closet door? Each night, after his
mother tucks him into bed, Alexander steals across the floor and opens the closet door to his own
world of magic. He knows the fairies need their heroic knight. He and his beautiful dragon take off
on their nightly flight. The ogres and trolls are back ravaging the town, and the King of Fairies
needs Alexander's help. Armed with his sword and shield, Alexander is ready to send them on their
way.
The colorful illustrations by Rajesh, the talented artist from South India, are a visual feast which
really take you to the magic kingdom. The bright colors and intricate details of each picture invite
you to go back and look at them again and again.
Stephen Books promises a World of Make-Believe series featuring Alexander Asenby. In this book
he tells the story of wonderful characters in a lyrical rhyming style that is fun to read and will
definitely be a favorite bedtime story. Maybe your closet door hides an enchanting magic kingdom
too. Wouldn't dreams be an exciting topic for family discussion?
Curled up with a Good Kids Book - Review
Everyone likes to escape to imagined worlds now and then, and for Alexander Asenby those
escapes become full-out adventures as he ventures beyond his magical closet door to lands where
dragons fly and winged fairies seek a knight in shining armor to save them from marauding ogres
and trolls. So begins Alexander Asenby’s Great Adventure, as a normal little boy enters the not-so-
normal realms that lie just beyond the borders of the imagination.
Alexander is just that hero, setting out on his trusty dragon to do battle with the critters that threaten
the magical kingdom before morning, when he is expected to be back in his bed at home again.
Written in rhyming text, this charming story will thrill young children who long for adventure beyond
their own bedroom walls and will spark their imaginations with visions of worlds where magic is afoot.
Stephen J. Brooks has written several children’s books and served as a Federal Agent for over ten
years. This is the first book in the series that will introduce kids to Alexander and his magical closet
door. Illustrator Rajesh, an Indian artist specializing in contemporary art, uses both bold and muted
jewel-toned colors to impart a fantastical tone, and his creatures are fun and whimsical.
The story imparts no major message or moral; Alexander Asenby’s Great Adventure could have
had a little more depth storywise, but it does entertain and colorfully so, and should put a smile on
the faces of little boys and girls who enjoy a good bedtime story. Just leave the closet door open,
please…
Bookideas - Review, John L. Hoh, Jr. Editor
Ah, the dreams of children! Poet Stephen Brooks continues his exploration of the night-time with
this look at a boy's dreams in the middle of the night, a poetical dream of dragons and comets and
shooting stars and castles and other magical things. Of course the “portal” is Alexander's closet.
Wasn't there a character in the comic strip “Opus” and “Bloom County” whose nightmares came out
of the closet?
Small children will be excited as they tag along on Alexander's dreams in the sky on a dragon going
to exotic castles. It could spark a discussion on dreams themselves.
The Savvy Click - Review
What better way to end the night than with dragons, castles, fairies and ogres? “Alexander Asenby’
s Great Adventure” is a fantastic story about a boy named Alexander who, when his parents slept,
each night goes on magical journeys through his closet door.
Stephen J. Brooks knows how to capture a young children’s heart by adding trolls with warts, fire
breathing dragons and moats of hot lava. Children will love the character of Alexander, the heroic
knight who makes his descent into this fantasy land in the darkness of the night.
Reviewer's comments: The illustrations in this book are magical! With the turn of each page,
Rajesh makes this book come alive! Make believe will become real. I enjoyed this book from start
to finish. An outstanding read for all!
Robert Tilendis, Editor, Greenmanreviews
Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure is the first of a series about Alexander, who enters the world
of make-believe through his closet door at night when everyone else is sleeping. This time, he dons
his shining armor and mounts his trusty dragon and takes off for the realm of the fairies, who have
planned a great feast. Alas! The town is being attacked by ogres and trolls, and Alexander must fly
off to the rescue. After chasing the bad guys off, Alexander returns to the feast (which seems to
have a preponderance of cake and cookies as part of the repast), and, when the time is right, back
to his bed.
The illustrations by Rajesh are appealing, calling to mind some of the better examples from the
Disney studios of the era of Bambi, and also drawing very effectively on the traditions of Rajesh's
native India with their rich colors and sinuous forms. They are beautifully done and add another
dimension to the story by their humorous depiction of the ogres -- not to mention the blue-eyed and
somewhat quizzical dragon.
TCM Reviews
Stephen J. Brooks
Purple Sky Publishing
ISBN: 0-9769017-2-2
Children's Picture Book
Reviewed by Rachel Olivier
Every night when Alexander Asenby goes to bed, instead of worrying about what monsters may lurk
beneath his bed or in his closet, he goes out to meet them! This is a delightful little story about a
little boy who understands that his closet is a portal to a fairy kingdom. Instead of being a victim, he
is a hero, as he flies on his trusty dragon and fights the awful monsters to save the fairy kingdom.
The illustrations and colors are rich and imaginative, matching the story's purpose to capture a
child's fancy and introduce them to the world of make-believe.
While some parents may be concerned about the "fight" between Alexander and the monsters, this
part is in fact downplayed to something similar to a chase and flight scene and nothing more. The
monsters are shown later, not happy, but still alive and well. Similar to Maurice Sendak’s Where the
Wild Things Are, Stephen J. Brooks’ Alexander Asenby’s Great Adventure will help children take
charge of that scary closet and understand that they have power over the monsters of the night.
Allbooks Reviews
AUTHOR: Stephen J. Brooks
Illustrator: Rajesh
This is the first book in a series of adventures for our young hero, Alexander Asenby. Written in
poetic rhyme the story begins late at night as the occupants of his house sleep; Alexander enters
the magical world on the other side of his closet door.
Mounting his trusty dragon and donning his armour, he flies to the land of the fairies. But before he
can enjoy the welcoming feast, monsters, ogres and trolls attack the town. Can Alexander save the
day for his friends? Will the castle be safe once again?
Author and poet, Stephen Brooks uses rhyme and free verse to tell his tale providing an excellent
introduction to poetry for young people. Alexander defeats the monsters with little violence and
conflict making this an excellent read for little children. The illustrations by Rajesh are beyond
reproach. They tell the story beautifully with brilliant colors and charming character portrayal.
Stephen Brooks has written several children’s books. Illustrator Rajesh specializes in contemporary
art for children’s books and lives in South India. This reviewer looks forward to the rest of the books
in this series.
This book would make a lovely gift for the children in your life. They will want to collect the entire
series.
Highly Recommended by Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.
Storyteller Books
Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure proves that not all closets are scary and that little boys can be
heroes in fantasy worlds. It is told in rhyme with vivid illustrations by Rajesh. Little boys will love the
dragon and the adventure.
Jan Warner-Poole
Storyteller Books
It's always fun to imagine but wouldn't it be great to be a real
knight, ride a dragon and save the fairies? This beautifully illustrated
picture book written in rhyme is a story about a young boy Alexander
who does all that and more. The rhyme is well done and flows easily so
that the main focus is always on the story and the illustrations. The
story is empowering to young children who are shown that they can be
heroes just like Alexander.
In The Library Reviews / Sharon MgGinty / July 2006
In this lavishly illustrated tale, Stephen Brooks introduces readers to Alexander Asenby, a little boy
who has fantastic journeys at night while his parents sleep.
Opening the magical closet door, transports Alexander to a magical realm filled with adventures,
magic and heroism. Here he is a brave night atop a dragon steed, savior of the fairy realm.
After many readings and much bargaining, I finally convinced my children to let me borrow this book
long enough to write my review. Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure is simply enchanting. Rich,
soft illustrations transport readers to another world, while the story itself captures the joy of childish
make-believe. As a parent, I appreciate the fact Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure encourages
children to indulge in make-believe and use their imagination. And the fact Alexander rides a
dragon instead of slaying them delighted this dragon-lover to no end.
Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure is a remarkable journey for the young and young at heart!
Beverly Rowe - Author "Babes to Teens"/Myshelf/July 2006
What magical worlds await Alexander on the other side of his closet door? Each night, after his
mother tucks him into bed, Alexander steals across the floor and opens the closet door to his own
world of magic. He knows the fairies need their heroic knight. He and his beautiful dragon take off
on their nightly flight. The ogres and trolls are back ravaging the town, and the King of Fairies
needs Alexander's help. Armed with his sword and shield, Alexander is ready to send them on their
way.
The colorful illustrations by Rajesh, the talented artist from South India, are a visual feast which
really take you to the magic kingdom. The bright colors and intricate details of each picture invite
you to go back and look at them again and again.
Stephen Books promises a World of Make-Believe series featuring Alexander Asenby. In this book
he tells the story of wonderful characters in a lyrical rhyming style that is fun to read and will
definitely be a favorite bedtime story. Maybe your closet door hides an enchanting magic kingdom
too. Wouldn't dreams be an exciting topic for family discussion?
Curled up with a Good Kids Book - Review
Everyone likes to escape to imagined worlds now and then, and for Alexander Asenby those
escapes become full-out adventures as he ventures beyond his magical closet door to lands where
dragons fly and winged fairies seek a knight in shining armor to save them from marauding ogres
and trolls. So begins Alexander Asenby’s Great Adventure, as a normal little boy enters the not-so-
normal realms that lie just beyond the borders of the imagination.
Alexander is just that hero, setting out on his trusty dragon to do battle with the critters that threaten
the magical kingdom before morning, when he is expected to be back in his bed at home again.
Written in rhyming text, this charming story will thrill young children who long for adventure beyond
their own bedroom walls and will spark their imaginations with visions of worlds where magic is afoot.
Stephen J. Brooks has written several children’s books and served as a Federal Agent for over ten
years. This is the first book in the series that will introduce kids to Alexander and his magical closet
door. Illustrator Rajesh, an Indian artist specializing in contemporary art, uses both bold and muted
jewel-toned colors to impart a fantastical tone, and his creatures are fun and whimsical.
The story imparts no major message or moral; Alexander Asenby’s Great Adventure could have
had a little more depth storywise, but it does entertain and colorfully so, and should put a smile on
the faces of little boys and girls who enjoy a good bedtime story. Just leave the closet door open,
please…
Bookideas - Review, John L. Hoh, Jr. Editor
Ah, the dreams of children! Poet Stephen Brooks continues his exploration of the night-time with
this look at a boy's dreams in the middle of the night, a poetical dream of dragons and comets and
shooting stars and castles and other magical things. Of course the “portal” is Alexander's closet.
Wasn't there a character in the comic strip “Opus” and “Bloom County” whose nightmares came out
of the closet?
Small children will be excited as they tag along on Alexander's dreams in the sky on a dragon going
to exotic castles. It could spark a discussion on dreams themselves.
The Savvy Click - Review
What better way to end the night than with dragons, castles, fairies and ogres? “Alexander Asenby’
s Great Adventure” is a fantastic story about a boy named Alexander who, when his parents slept,
each night goes on magical journeys through his closet door.
Stephen J. Brooks knows how to capture a young children’s heart by adding trolls with warts, fire
breathing dragons and moats of hot lava. Children will love the character of Alexander, the heroic
knight who makes his descent into this fantasy land in the darkness of the night.
Reviewer's comments: The illustrations in this book are magical! With the turn of each page,
Rajesh makes this book come alive! Make believe will become real. I enjoyed this book from start
to finish. An outstanding read for all!
Robert Tilendis, Editor, Greenmanreviews
Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure is the first of a series about Alexander, who enters the world
of make-believe through his closet door at night when everyone else is sleeping. This time, he dons
his shining armor and mounts his trusty dragon and takes off for the realm of the fairies, who have
planned a great feast. Alas! The town is being attacked by ogres and trolls, and Alexander must fly
off to the rescue. After chasing the bad guys off, Alexander returns to the feast (which seems to
have a preponderance of cake and cookies as part of the repast), and, when the time is right, back
to his bed.
The illustrations by Rajesh are appealing, calling to mind some of the better examples from the
Disney studios of the era of Bambi, and also drawing very effectively on the traditions of Rajesh's
native India with their rich colors and sinuous forms. They are beautifully done and add another
dimension to the story by their humorous depiction of the ogres -- not to mention the blue-eyed and
somewhat quizzical dragon.
TCM Reviews
Stephen J. Brooks
Purple Sky Publishing
ISBN: 0-9769017-2-2
Children's Picture Book
Reviewed by Rachel Olivier
Every night when Alexander Asenby goes to bed, instead of worrying about what monsters may lurk
beneath his bed or in his closet, he goes out to meet them! This is a delightful little story about a
little boy who understands that his closet is a portal to a fairy kingdom. Instead of being a victim, he
is a hero, as he flies on his trusty dragon and fights the awful monsters to save the fairy kingdom.
The illustrations and colors are rich and imaginative, matching the story's purpose to capture a
child's fancy and introduce them to the world of make-believe.
While some parents may be concerned about the "fight" between Alexander and the monsters, this
part is in fact downplayed to something similar to a chase and flight scene and nothing more. The
monsters are shown later, not happy, but still alive and well. Similar to Maurice Sendak’s Where the
Wild Things Are, Stephen J. Brooks’ Alexander Asenby’s Great Adventure will help children take
charge of that scary closet and understand that they have power over the monsters of the night.
Allbooks Reviews
AUTHOR: Stephen J. Brooks
Illustrator: Rajesh
This is the first book in a series of adventures for our young hero, Alexander Asenby. Written in
poetic rhyme the story begins late at night as the occupants of his house sleep; Alexander enters
the magical world on the other side of his closet door.
Mounting his trusty dragon and donning his armour, he flies to the land of the fairies. But before he
can enjoy the welcoming feast, monsters, ogres and trolls attack the town. Can Alexander save the
day for his friends? Will the castle be safe once again?
Author and poet, Stephen Brooks uses rhyme and free verse to tell his tale providing an excellent
introduction to poetry for young people. Alexander defeats the monsters with little violence and
conflict making this an excellent read for little children. The illustrations by Rajesh are beyond
reproach. They tell the story beautifully with brilliant colors and charming character portrayal.
Stephen Brooks has written several children’s books. Illustrator Rajesh specializes in contemporary
art for children’s books and lives in South India. This reviewer looks forward to the rest of the books
in this series.
This book would make a lovely gift for the children in your life. They will want to collect the entire
series.
Highly Recommended by Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.
Storyteller Books
Alexander Asenby's Great Adventure proves that not all closets are scary and that little boys can be
heroes in fantasy worlds. It is told in rhyme with vivid illustrations by Rajesh. Little boys will love the
dragon and the adventure.
Jan Warner-Poole
Storyteller Books
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