Kids now live in a world with endless devices competing for their eyeballs, with each app and game expertly engineered to capture their shorter and shorter attention spans. Given that, it’s no surprise reading a good old-fashioned book isn’t always a kid’s first choice for a leisure activity. Lucky for kids and parents alike, “Mightier than the Sword,” on sale now from Penguin Workshop, is more than a mere book; it’s a self-illustrated, interactive adventure story that evolves as the reader scribbles.
Astorya is a land made up entirely of stories — with the notable exception of the reader, who’s as real as it gets. Everything the reader draws comes to life, which is helpful, since Astorya is in some serious danger. Kids aged eight to 12 will have to grab their pencil to save the world!
“Mightier than the Sword” is the first full-length novel by Brooklyn residents Drew Callander and Alana Harrison. The book was illustrated by Ryan Andrews, who lives in the Japanese countryside.