Darkness. Utter blackness. Was this why his mother had refused to let Jack unlock his father’s old trunk? It had been two years since his dad had died, and all Jack could think about was examining whatever treasures were stored inside the beloved trunk. But when he finally lifted the lid, he didn’t just fall in—he fell through it into a pit of rattlesnakes! Trying to recall his mother’s stories about “the Breath of All Good Things”—anything to shed light on his current situation—Jack wishes he’d paid better attention rather than mock the tales as childish myths…and that he’d waited to enter the trunk with his sister, Lilly, so they could at least face this together. Like L. Frank Baum’s Oz and C. S. Lewis’s Narnia, M. M. Allen brings to life the fantastical world of Wishapick—a land of courageous animals ruled by a cruel rattlesnake king who has condemned the villagers to live without light. Chosen as the reluctant hero to save the villagers, Jack must face terrifying creatures and overwhelming odds if he wants to help his new friends—and return home himself. Recipient of Moonbeam Children's Book Award - Gold Award for Book/Theatrical.Received 5 Stars - Readers Favorite Be sure to check out the companion music CD, Wishapick, for purchase or download from http://deborahwynne.com/ Readers’ Favorite Reviewed By Jack Magnus - 5 Stars - Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk is a children's adventure fantasy written by M.M. Allen. It's been two years since Jack's father died, and Jack's still angry about it. He misses his dad and the adventures they used to have together. His sister, Lilly, is a bit of a nuisance, and his mother just doesn't understand or appreciate what Jack's going through or is interested in. The black steamer trunk is a good example of that. It's been sitting there locked away, and his mother won't let him have the key to open it, despite the fact that Jack's father always said that they'd open it together. When Lilly shows Jack the key on a day when their mother is away, Jack knows instantly what he wants to do. Lilly had overhead their mother discussing the key's hiding place and figured that she'd be in on the adventure, but Jack is determined to open the steamer trunk on his own. M.M. Allen's fantasy adventure story for children, Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk, is an exciting and original tale about a brother and sister who discover a hidden world inside of a black steamer trunk. Jack and Lilly are marvelous characters who are joined in their quest by a grand cast of denizens of that world, who also happen to be animals. I think my favorite has to be the wolf, Winston, whose bad teeth cause him to spend too much time in the dentist's chair, and his sweetheart, Miss Bailey, the dentist assistant, who just happens to be a skunk. Allen's story is well plotted and fast-paced, and her use of imagery and description makes the world of Wishapick and its inhabitants come alive. Allen's story is accompanied by a CD containing a musical score and a collection of songs written and performed by Deborah Wynne. Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk is recommended for young fans of the fantasy genre. It’s Fundamental Blog Review Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk by M. M. Allen is an action-packed middle grade novel that will intrigue kids of all ages! What I Loved About This Book Wishapick is full of action! From the first chapter, you are taken on a journey into the unknown that is wild and unexpected. This book held my interest because there was always something happening, and I never knew what the next step would be. This book is great for kids who crave excitement. I think this would be great for reluctant readers, because they don’t have to wait through chapters of description for something interesting to happen. I also really enjoyed the animal characters of Wishapick. They came alive in my mind! I fell in love with Winston, Miss Bailey, and the Tumalum’s, and was properly terrified by the Rattlesnake King. Finally, I couldn’t help but love little Lilly. She was so full of energy and excitement, and was ready to go wherever her adventure in Wishapick would take her. She was brave and a little brash in a way that all great female characters should be. I think lots of little girls will fall in love with Lilly like I did! What I Didn’t The main character Jack can be, well, a bit of a grump. He’s a young boy still dealing with the loss of his dad, so it’s understandable. However, sometimes he still got on my nerves a little. That being said, Jack’s growth over the course of the book is an enjoyable thing to watch. Recommendation The action, great characters, and valuable lessons in Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk make it a great choice for young readers. Those reading chapter books will love to enjoy this one on their own, and younger readers will enjoy Book Room Reviews Review by: Dick Leonardo