Buzz offers a glimpse into new self-published books from emerging authors that reviewers at our friends Palmetto Review find buzzworthy.

Title: Millie and Honey: The Incredible Instantaneous Interplanetary Adventure – Volume II – APPLEOPOLIS

Author: J.D. Means

Genre: Children (age 6-12)

Release Date: TBA

Reviewer: Deborah Watson-Novacek

This wonderful book, authored by J.D. Means and very nicely illustrated by Romar Lipana, is a cute fantasy/adventure tale intended for children aged 6 – 12, depending on their reading level. This would also be a great book to read aloud to your non-reading children. A sequel to MHIIIA, Volume 1: Catatonia, Appleopolis picks up the day after the characters’ adventures in Catatonia (an amazing planet of felines).

In their last adventure, Millie, her dog Honey, and Honey’s litter (Salazar, Jasmine, Burt and Blinky) discovered a “Traveling Machine.” In this story they join up with Millie’s parents and Rose (the machine’s caretaker) to travel to the planet Appleopolis.

On Appleopolis, a planet of intelligent trees, the group also makes friends with the delightful Rags (the Regent of the Agricultural Garden Society), who wears a blue jacket complete with medallions and talks like a pirate. Rags is their own private guide to all the wonders in Appleopolis. The group experiences Apple Bobbing (with a twist!) and the Apple Press ride. They also learn a lot in the Maple Forest and the Cinnamon Grove. An adventure-filled day with lots of fun and learning!

I highly recommend that you add this book to your family library! I also think that someday this series would make an excellent cartoon series (a la The Magic Schoolbus)! The characters are all quite engaging and story is well plotted and executed. The vocabulary is just right – a little challenging (in a good way!) for younger children, but not too baby-ish for the older reader. The ending is satisfying and leaves you wanting to follow along on the group’s next adventure.

If you can, I also recommend you get the first book in the series (Catatonia), and I can’t wait for the publication of Book #3 – The Blue Angel Planet!