Word Travelers and the Taj Mahal Mystery

Editorials

School Library Journal. Gr 1-4-When Eddie and Molly-Jean discover an old book of etymology, they embark on a magical and educational adventure. After looking up the word "pajamas," the Awesome Enchanted Book (AEB) whisks the children away to India, the country of the word's origins. There they meet a boy searching for a lost family treasure to rebuild his school. What follows is a fast-paced mystery complete with a series of hidden clues, secret passageways, and even a dastardly moustache-twirling villain. Haldar, coauthor of P is for Pterodactyl and No Reading Allowed, brings his humor and love of wordplay to this first entry of a new early chapter book series. The premise is reminiscent of Mary Pope Osborne's "Magic Tree House" series and will likely appeal to its fans, as it contains the same mix of fantasy, adventure, and cultural discovery. Etymology is the distinctive feature here, and its importance is reflected in every part of the text. Bold words throughout the book can be found in the glossary, with entries containing pronunciation, definition, and origin. The main characters must learn about words to find the treasure, and in doing so they discover facts about Indian culture and its influence on the English language. The cultural awareness implicit in the book's themes is reflected in the diversity of its characters as portrayed in both text and illustrations. Rawat's rounded comic artwork enhances both the humorous tone of the writing and its accessibility for young readers. The work as a whole feels very child centered, and is likely to appeal to a broad range of readers. Eddie is white with red hair, and Molly-Jean has light brown skin and curly brown hair. VERDICT This winning series opener is full of fun and facts, and is recommended for first purchase.-Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield Public Library, ILα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

"Fast-paced and fun, this word-lovers adventure will immerse growing readers in both a puzzling mystery and the origin of English words that come from India." ― Imagination Soup"A fast-paced mystery… reminiscent of Mary Pope Osborne’s "Magic Tree House" series…. Etymology is the distinctive feature here, and its importance is reflected in every part of the text. The cultural awareness implicit in the book’s themes is reflected in the diversity of its characters as portrayed in both text and illustrations. The work as a whole feels very child centered, and is likely to appeal to a broad range of readers. This winning series opener is full of fun and facts." ―School Library Journal, STARRED review"

The characters are likable and realistic... and the reader is guaranteed a happy ending." ― School Library Connection

About the Author

Raj Haldar is the author of the #1 New York Times Bestselling picture book, P is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever. But, for close to a decade, he has been better known as Lushlife, the rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. In that time, he's amassed a fervent global fanbase and released award-winning viral music videos that highlight his erudite lyrics. The Sunday New York Times describes his work as “an intoxicating mix of captivating rhymes with audacious, gorgeous production.” So it should come as no surprise that Haldar has made the leap into the world of children’s literature. His latest book entitled, This Book is Banned gives young readers a lighthearted entrypoint to begin understanding the dangers of book banning and censorship. His work has been featured by The Washington Post, Interview Magazine, VICE, Pitchfork, Village Voice, Mental Floss, BBC, SPIN and more! Raj currently lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his wife and two young daughters.

About the Illustrator

Neha Rawat is a children's book illustrator from India and a grand prize winner of the SCBWI Summer Spectacular Portfolio Showcase 2020.  She worked as a software engineer for 5 years before freelancing as an artist and creating custom illustrations, comics, and merchandise and eventually moving to children's books. In her spare time, Neha can be found petting, booping and belly rubbing dogs. Connect with her on instagram @NRBstudio.in