Olga by Ted Kelsey is a new and exciting book for children. Olga takes place in the modern world but it is most definitely a fairy tale. I was reminded of that childhood classic Jack and the Beanstalk. Olga has magic, adventure, and even a real fairy who happens to have forgotten who she is. Jack and Sally live in Chilton, a small town on the side of Mount Chalktop. Jack and Sally think Chilton is the most boring place in the world, but one day, while playing their own special version of Hide and Seek, they stumble upon the beginning of an incredible adventure. Jack and Sally will find wonder and see many new things. They will be afraid and confused, but in the end they will respond heroically to the trials that lie ahead of them.

I think children will like Olga. Jack and Sally are kids they can relate to. The antagonist in the story seems to be Olga, who is a giantess, but unlike the rest of the family of giants, Olga is a very complex girl. She has her own needs and dreams and will defy her father and all the other giants to get what she wants. I liked this story mostly because of the complexity of the relationship between Jack and Olga, and I think kids will be drawn to that element of the story too. There are some beautiful illustrations by Dillion Samuelson and Ted Kelsey’s ending leaves room for future adventures.

Olga by Ted Kelsey is the adventure of Sally and Jack, two young humans who kind of follow the tale of Jack and the Bean Stalk. You've got your human eating giants, and a castle in a beautiful and mysterious cloud world that humans have no idea exists. Jack and Sally are your typical preteens, curious about everything, including the creepy thing they find hovering in a field behind an empty house in their neighborhood. Tugged into the world of giants by the thing they found and foolishly grabbed onto, they find themselves on an adventure to save their lives and get back home before it's too late.

Jack finds himself the plaything of the giant princess Olga after his wild ride ends. Sally got separated from Jack soon after they find themselves in the cloud world, and she goes on a mission to find and save Jack. Along the way, Sally meets interesting moths that help her find Jack in the castle made of bones. They are reunited for a short time before they get separated again and Sally goes exploring to see if she can find a way home. In her travels she meets Freakything and comes up with a plan.

Olga by Ted Kelsey uses amazing imagery that allows you to picture what is going on and the illustrations by Dillon Samuelson are strategically placed, beautifully rendered, and help show exactly what Ted Kelsey was conveying when others might have come up with a different picture. Ted Kelsey put a new spin on Jack and the Bean Stalk to make the story that much better. I will be recommending Olga to my daughter. While Olga has its roots in a childhood story, Ted Kelsey puts a spin on it that makes it enjoyable for readers of all ages!

Olga is a childhood novel of the fight between good and evil by Ted Kelsey. A shadowy figure seen in the air, floating in the fields, intrigued two twelve-year-olds named Jack and Sally, and they vow to figure out what is going on beyond the clouds. Their imagination takes the two of them to a magical place which proves to be the home of Olga. The story is very cute and kept my daughter's attention with the descriptions and vivid pictures. Olga the elephant wants to be released from her arranged marriage and is determined to succeed. While watching Jack and Sally on Earth she entraps Jack, and it's left up to Sally to save the day. Sally does a great job at finding her way through tasks as she tries to figure out how to get back home.

This story is a great way to teach children about loyalty, friendship and patience. The twists and turns of the storyline had me pleased that this book is for children because it shows great determination while also entertaining and teaching a lesson. I loved this story from beginning to end and would recommend Olga by Ted Kelsey to readers in the elementary school age group. The story is definitely a page turner and keeps your full attention. I thought it was excellently written.

During a friendly game of Ghosts in the Graveyard, Sally and Jack find themselves in a land where a flashlight is referred to as a flish-flash, moths are magical enchanting creatures, and giants rule the clouds. Their initial goal was to brave the forbidden evils of The Terror House when reality became far more sinister than the evils of imagination. At first it was just the end of their neighborhood game, the walk home. But out of nowhere appears an unidentifiable bouncing apparition in the distance. Curious, the two agree to investigate. It looks harmless. A wayward child’s toy? What they find is a large stuffed elephant attached to a silver string. Jack reaches out to grab the toy, only to find himself stuck to the surface. Jack and Sally are suddenly transported into the clouds, where they find a horrible assortment of giants whose goal is to overtake Earth, consuming the delicacies of human flesh in the process.

Olga is both an enchanting and disturbing tale. Reminiscent of Harry Potter, it is certain to attract a young reader population. I was completely absorbed in the words of author Ted Kelsey. Illustrator Dillon Samuelson creates thoughtful visuals of the author’s written word. Not only is Olga a finely written fantasy, there is a strong emphasis on social and moral mores in the story that suggest an allure for older readers as well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Olga on a list of children’s classics one day soon.