Spark the Stone Man series is created in a fantasy/adventure/science fiction genre both as a six book series and a major component for two animated movies. Spark travels in a magic circle from his home in the austere Granite Mountain to the place of his dreams, the subtropical Lemon Drop Valley. Yet, one can't say for sure if these lands, and not his mind, are his true dwellings. His journey involves daring actions, twists and unpredictable outcomes. Yet Spark remains a humble character even when he ends up receiving the highest bravery award at the end of book three.
Book One: The icy range of the Granite Mountains looks desolate. Yet living in it are the stonemasons whose life is flinty as the granite they hew, and their laws are merciless. At the foot of Granite Mountain lies the verdant, luxuriant Lemon Drop Valley. But no one can descend there, for the only entry to the Valley is kept secret by the Royal House of stone-masons. Nevertheless, our little hero, Spark, learns the secret and finds his way to the Valley.
There he is captivated by lingering, intoxicating smells of tropical plants, is greeted by twin moons, encounters a giant who converses with a monument, finds himself strolling on a splendid seaside promenade, falls in love with a local beauty, and teams up (under very strange circumstances) with a confectioner who helps him sneak into the Great Wizard's castle. Once inside the castle, he witnesses a secret Forum of Wizards in action, as well as frightening transformations performed by the magic Mash-fatum.
Just when he feels at ease in the magical Valley, Spark latches onto the illusory nature of his expectations and with a broken heart, he resolves to return home.
Guide For Teachers And Librarians: The book is published both in Russian and in the authorized translation into English thus warranting the textual authenticity and making it suitable as a reading material in grades 9-12 (especially in schools that offer Russian).
The story of a boy who travels from an austere stone world into a valley touched by traces of civilization, symbolizes, in certain ways, a history of mankind. Just as a first man, our hero gains his experience by learning to feel, to observe, to think, to hear the thoughts of others, select friends, fall in love, choose between compassion and indifference, etc.
Our hero makes this long journey facing some adverse situations yet at the end of the first series (that consists of three books) he receives the highest distinction from the Royal House of the stone men.
Spark the Stone Man series is created in a fantasy/adventure/science fiction genre both as a six book series and a major component for two animated movies. Spark travels in a magic circle from his home in the austere Granite Mountain to the place of his dreams, the subtropical Lemon Drop Valley. Yet, one can't say for sure if these lands, and not his mind, are his true dwellings. His journey involves daring actions, twists and unpredictable outcomes. Yet Spark remains a humble character even when he ends up receiving the highest bravery award at the end of book three.
Book One: The icy range of the Granite Mountains looks desolate. Yet living in it are the stonemasons whose life is flinty as the granite they hew, and their laws are merciless. At the foot of Granite Mountain lies the verdant, luxuriant Lemon Drop Valley. But no one can descend there, for the only entry to the Valley is kept secret by the Royal House of stone-masons. Nevertheless, our little hero, Spark, learns the secret and finds his way to the Valley.
There he is captivated by lingering, intoxicating smells of tropical plants, is greeted by twin moons, encounters a giant who converses with a monument, finds himself strolling on a splendid seaside promenade, falls in love with a local beauty, and teams up (under very strange circumstances) with a confectioner who helps him sneak into the Great Wizard's castle. Once inside the castle, he witnesses a secret Forum of Wizards in action, as well as frightening transformations performed by the magic Mash-fatum.
Just when he feels at ease in the magical Valley, Spark latches onto the illusory nature of his expectations and with a broken heart, he resolves to return home.
Guide For Teachers And Librarians: The book is published both in Russian and in the authorized translation into English thus warranting the textual authenticity and making it suitable as a reading material in grades 9-12 (especially in schools that offer Russian).
The story of a boy who travels from an austere stone world into a valley touched by traces of civilization, symbolizes, in certain ways, a history of mankind. Just as a first man, our hero gains his experience by learning to feel, to observe, to think, to hear the thoughts of others, select friends, fall in love, choose between compassion and indifference, etc.
Our hero makes this long journey facing some adverse situations yet at the end of the first series (that consists of three books) he receives the highest distinction from the Royal House of the stone men.