Helen the Transartist

by Anita Stairs-Oberlick

Twelve-year-old Helen Robley believes she is an orphan. She lives with two adoptive aunts until one day she discovers that the drawings she loves to make become reality. Helen is about to discover she is a "Transartist."
Using her magic, she travels to the East Pole, home of the creatures that populate children's imaginations ˗˗ creatures like the Sand Man, Cupids, and Toothfairies, who are nothing like their stereotypes. Helen discovers that the East Pole is her birthplace and learns the fate of her parents before she confronts the vain and evil Queen Narcissa.
Helen uses a variety of unconventional tools and techniques against the Queen, and in the end is reminded that beauty is on the inside.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2004

Reviews

[Erica Paré · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another one of those books that I would not have read if it wasnt for the random challenges in my reading group. This challenge was a writing tool on cover.

When I started reading this book I wasnt quite sure what type of book it was going to be. Quickly I discovered it was a whimsical and magical book. We meet Helen who lives in a group home. She was found abandoned with just her name, Helen Robley. Helen is different than all the others around her at school and she does not care for it.

When Helen finds a magical ticket left by someone named Nod she turns to her aunt for some help. We watch as she struggles to find who she is and who her parents were/are even if it means leaving what she knows on Earth. Using her transarting abilities she brings herself back to where she is from. She meets a bunch of new friends and learns more about herself, her powers and those around her. But this isnt just a hea story. There is an evil queen who has places spells on the land and her parents are still missing. Follow along as Helen uses the new found powers, her kindness, her charm and the love of her friends to take on the evil Narcissa.

[Skye · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started out great, it was fun. Helen lived in a group home for girls, having been left there as a baby. One day she discovers that she can draw things and then wish them into existence and she can travel the same way. She realizes she comes from a different dimension and that she should return there.

That's when it all goes south.

She travels to a land of dancing chickens, giant cats, Cupids, and Easter bunnies. It's an interesting premise but the writing is so juvenile that I wondered if it was written by a very young person. (It was not.) Getting through it was a chore. I will not be reading the sequel.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was great for any age. I enjoyed a change in what I usually read. This book kept me reading to the last page. I think my niece would enjoy this book. I will have to tell her about it! I thought the Main character was smart, kind and someone my niece night enjoy reading more about. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for any young girl

This was a truly wonderful tale full of amazing and entertaining characters I am strongly considering buying this one to give to my niece.I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for this review.

[Spud]

This is a wonderful book. It shows that you can do anything you want if you try and that true beauty is on the inside. Told all my friends and now their reading it to.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

So....

I had a lot of trouble with this one. Maybe this is just meant for someone younger than me. But I could not seem to wrap my head around some of the concepts in this book. For one thing, it seemed that Helen's Aunt Judy was far too accepting of magical powers from the start. That aside, near the beginning, Helen is pretty much ignored and bullied in her Earth school. So before she leaves she takes to bullying the bully? And Aunt Judy laughs at this? I don't get it. Any adult would not condone this.

Okay, so Helen gets this Transarting power. She figures it out pretty quickly. And then she goes to East Pole and we don't see it again for almost the rest of the book, even though that seems to be the premise of the book.

I take issues with the villain, Narcissa. She is a villain in that she is only narcissistic. I don't completely understand how the residents of East Pole allow her to hold so much power over them. She does some spells to make their lives harder and they really just seem slightly annoying. She makes vague threats like, "don't do what I want and something bad will happen!"

Then you have all the people and creatures that live at East Pole. I have the most trouble with the cupids. Mainly because they basically imply that people can't or just don't fall in love on their own. The cupids decide who loves who. Like no one really has much of a choice in this.

I don't know. I think a lot of the problems I have with this book can mainly be explained by my age. Someone around 10-12 years old would probably enjoy it. I read a lot of positive reviews, so I really think a younger generation would enjoy this. I just couldn't.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? This book is so unique. I’ll try to give you a review without obvious spoilers, but I think I should be able to tell you enough to intrigue you to want to read more.

Helen, who grew up in an adoption center, travels to another dimension. Want to know how? Oh, come on, that’s asking too much… I need to leave some suspense. Anyway, this dimension is made up of several different types of creatures, most of which those of us in our dimension consider imaginary.

Not unusual enough for you? Well, don’t worry. The author has that covered!

Take the above premise and have it take place within the confines of a fairytale. Yes, a fairytale. It’s complete with an evil villain, creatures used as slaves, and parents who had to give up their child to another dimension to save her life.

With all of the above, it’s a great story for your child. It’s not violent or scary. Even a battle scene uses the characters wits to avert disaster instead of using brute force, like you may expect. The story also teaches your child that inner beauty is more important than outer beauty.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the start of the book.

By the time Helen reached the South Pole I loved the idea of the plot far more than actual plot and the writing style.
It has tons of potential. I kid you not but I think the story would have been better served if the main protagonist were much younger or if the author toned down on the antics of the people in the South Pole a smidgen.

Ideal for very young preteens but I think most grown ups will become disillusioned by repetitive writing which is EXACTLY what will engross young readers.

Don't trust me on this. Read the book yourself and make up your own mind.

WaAr

[Alex Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters in this book, because I already knew who they were, but got to find out new things about them. The Sand Men and Sand Gals use different kinds of sand to sprinkle in our eyes and give us our dreams. Cupids, probably my favorite, I enjoyed seeing the different potions they made for their arrows.
And the book also has a great story, even as an adult I enjoyed it.

[flightyinagoodway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This is a story that is very fun and new. So do yourself a favor and pick it up to explore a whole new world . :)

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever story

I enjoyed the positive theme, hope and faith in community! Looking forward to more books from this delightful author! Great read aloud for children!