Billy wakes up one morning hungry. He goes to his mom’s bed and tries to wake her up but she doesn’t. Billy decides to go the store to get food. He starts out on his journey that turns out to be quite an adventure.

The book is written in verse. The illustrations are in black and white. It reminds me of a Dr. Seuss book with its rhyming and silliness. It’s a cute picture book for children ages 5 to 8 yeats old.

King Billy and the Royal Road is a whimsical tale told in verse about a boy who goes off on a bit of a magical adventure.

I admire the skill it takes for an author to compose a story written in rhyme. RC Ajuonuma has done a good job here; there were a few times the rhythm felt a bit off to me, but overall, the stanzas were well done.

Unfortunately, this is the type of story that deals in the nonsensical, and I don't tend to enjoy those stories. I prefer to read plots that are a bit better defined, staring main characters who are a bit more likeable. However, if you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland, you might want to give this one a go -- I expect you will enjoy it much more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wonder what the great mythologist Joseph Campbell would think of this book? I found it charming and considered it appropriate for children upon first glance. Although I wouldn’t think twice about reading this to my son, I do see that it contains many adult themes. In short, it is a retelling of the hero’s journey. It should be told by a minstrel or professional storyteller around a bonfire, under the stars. There are so many symbols and mythic threads woven throughout this beautiful, dark, lyrical tale. It completely captivated me and brought me to another world, or the ancient past. I highly recommend this short yet powerful book for children and adults alike.