DESTINY, VALOR, AND A LIZARD NAMED LOUIE
Author: Michael Ambrosio

Reviewed By: Teen STAR Review Team at the Reading Tub,
January 2008

Big Kid Reaction: The story is crafted to appeal to pre-teens. The author has hit the target with an intriguing narrative and impressive illustrations. The reader is treated to an exciting story, meets some interesting characters, and is presented with some challenging issues.

Pros: This is an adventure story that the intended audience will enjoy. It is an excellent reading resource tool that enables the teacher/parent to help the reader develop vocabulary and improve reading comprehension.

Cons: None.

Borrow or Buy: Buy! This is a book that will be read and re-read many times.

Destiny, Valor and a lizard named Louie
By Michael Ambrosio
Reviewed by Kristin Johnson of MyShelf.com

     ... Simba of “The Lion King,” cross him with an orphaned prince named Louie, mix in some life lessons and vocabulary/reading comprehension lessons, and you get the delightful Destiny, Valor and a Lizard named Louie by Michael Ambrosio. What “Finding Nemo” did for fish, Louie does for lizards. There is a strong father-son relationship, ...

     Why is it that mothers are always absent from fairy tales and fables? Disney didn’t invent the disappearing mother, either. Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm often removed the mother from the picture, although ARABIAN NIGHTS included a mother for Aladdin. Much like Louie’s story, the Disney version of Aladdin concentrates on the father-child relationship. Also, in Louie’s story, a young lizard named Marie gets saved from death by her father’s sacrifice, and Marie and Louie later help rescue another father figure, Talis, from the chameleons. In addition, Louie’s foster father is killed as part of a chameleon plot to make Louie vulnerable so that the chameleons can set Louie, the true prince, up as an ersatz chameleon king.

     One wonders if this emphasis on the role of the father is intentional. The resemblance to the French Revolution, with names such as Louie and Marie, may also be intentional. After all, the principles of the French Revolution led to many of the philosophy of the American Founding Fathers. Speaking of politics, as we approach Decision 2004 and deal with incessant whining about no WMD, adults and kids may appreciate the marvelous political commentary about “chameleon deception…that had you believing you were a chameleon…that seems so real, so rooted in truth, that most believe it. It’s hard to explain, but the deception plays to the victim’s weaknesses. It has a power all its own. It can separate the best of friends, and it can fool the smartest of lizards.”

      Which brings a troubling thought: who are the chameleons in our midst? Better listen to our mothers, our fathers, and our own valor. We, like Louie, can discover the brave blue-belly within and embrace our destiny.
 

February 2004
Contact: Ken San Vicente
LionX Publishing Inc.
(916)984-0102

NEW CHAPTER BOOK – NOT YOUR ORDINARY LIZARD STORY

        (Sacramento, CA, February 18, 2004) How many of us still don’t know who we are or how we should spend our life? As kids we just try to fit in, anything more would invite too much scrutiny and possible pain. In a new book by Michael Ambrosio, “Destiny, Valor and a lizard named Louie” we find that Louie is no different.
        Deception, war and a stunning defeat leave Louie orphaned and on the run. He is too young to understand, too young to remember. He is hidden away until the time is right. Growing up, Louie just tries to fit in. The crafty chameleons have their plans for Louie. Insecure and without direction, Louie doesn’t know who he is, but he must decide. Meanwhile an old friend is hiding in the forest watching...and waiting. Evil schemes, sudden tragedy. Attractive Trina, brave and courageous Marie. Hidden helpers, a brother’s love, sword fights and battle strategies. Will Louie figure it all out? Can Louie discover courage, find true love, and answer the call of his amazing destiny?
        For children who like lizards and love adventure, and for parents who want characters with depth and books that feed their children’s souls, this book hits the spot. As one teacher says, “This story brought me up short several times with the feeling that we were vicariously experiencing moments of deep character development and transformation. Something I didn’t expect in a children’s story involving lizards! Ambrosio has managed to capture significant moments in the heart and to portray complex truths inside a galloping adventure plot.”

Michael Ambrosio is author of the I Don’t series of children’s picture books, the Destiny series of chapter books and has been published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, Insight Magazine and other regional publications. He lives in Folsom, California with his wife and five children and holds degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles and the University of California at Irvine.

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