Tulia y La Tecla Magica

Gr 4-7-Tulia has an aunt who loves to give unusual Christmas presents. This year, Aunt Poli gives Tulia her prized piano. She loves to play it for hours on end, and when she is magically transported to different worlds she meets strange and unusual animals and people. On one such trip, the girl learns of the muskis, creatures working for a powerful wizard named Sordello and stealing the musical sounds from all instruments. Tulia realizes that in order to defeat them, she will have to enlist the help of her aunt, her housekeeper, her aunt's magical black cat, and a wizard named Tolimantes. Working together, they have various adventures involving magical seas and creatures, and a final encounter with Sordello. The story is a lighthearted adventure with a predictable ending. The chapters are brief enough for young readers, and the bright, multidimensional illustrations are an asset to the story. An excellent read-aloud and a solid choice for young fantasy lovers.Mercedes Smith, Bishop Kenny H.S., Jacksonville, FL