It Happened on Tarantula Island

by Devon Winterson, Link Maxwell

One loopy scientist, two enormous tarantulas, five bungling pirates, a suspicious chicken, and a ten year old boy with a fondness for whales come together on a small island within the vast folds of the ocean to discover utter silliness in a colorful adventure. Twisty mind-candy for both kids and good-humored adults still young at heart.

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2015

About the author

Kimberly Grenfell (a.k.a. Devon Winterson) has been an avid reader of fantasy books since childhood, and has studied creative writing and editing both on her own and through college and independent classes.

Since 2008, she has been a line editor, a contributing editor, and an art director for Writer's Beat Quarterly, a free online magazine for The Writer's Beat writing community. Kimberly has contributed several articles to this e-zine under the regular features "New Writer on the Beat" and "Mechanical Snippets" to help novice writers understand and master the craft of writing and its mechanics. She has also served as an acquisitions editor and line editor at a small publishing company for two years.

Currently, Kimberly has a collection of five full-length novels (in progress) and one novella (also in progress) based in the fictional world of Caendoria, as well as a humorous middle grade novel co-written and co-edited with her son (yes, in progress, as well), and a handful of free "penny fiction" pieces soon available for download on Smashwords - all creations through which she has been able to apply what she's learned in her various studies.

Reviews

[M.J. Faraldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive “It Happened on Tarantula Island” as an ARC and believe me when I say that this story is as crazy as drinking your own potions cause drinking them would be crazy but I’m not crazy! This story has everything a story should have, good characters, whales, pirates, scientist, treasure hunts and giant spiders… oh and Sidney of course!
I recommend this book to all younger readers, this type of book is the type that would make young people love stories and it will boost their imagination. I will most definitely keep this one handy for when I have my own kids so I can read it to them.
Devon Winterson and Link Maxwell have an exquisite imagination, let them transport you to Tarantula Island and you will find a treasure.

[Shelley Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book along with my eleven year old son. There were so many times we sat together laughing out loud at the crazy antics of Uncle Gerry, Christopher and the band of pirates, not to mention Sidney and of course the tarantulas. Devon and Link's writing is wonderfully descriptive and completely entertaining. You don't have to be a youngster to enjoy this story, it will appeal to readers of all ages that like to read funny, light-hearted stories.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an imaginative story! Young readers of all ages will delight in the motley cast of characters, from a wacky scientist to captain Shadow’s not-so-scary pirate crew. Add to that the giant tarantulas, ornery treasure map, haughty chicken, crabs, slugs, and all sorts of zany hijinks going on and you’ve got one scallywag of an adventure tale. I absolutely loved it!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crabs, slugs, humming flowers, potions, pirates and the nuttiest scientist a giant tarantula could ever dream of - it's all going down on Tarantula Island. The characters are charming and this book sounds fantastic when read aloud to a little one. I can't decide who giggled more at the pirate accents, me or my three month old. It's silly and fun, and the text is more than engaging for the older-young reader / young-hearted old reader.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.