The Secret World of Delia and Mingli

Delia is lonely and longs for a friend. On a trip to China with her family, her father buys her a stuffed elephant named Mingli.

After they return home, Delia has trouble with nightmares and Mingli takes her to Imagine Nation where she can fight through her nightmares so that she never has them again. Can Delia succeed?

This is supposed to be for early readers but there are some words I think would be too difficult to be read on their own. I see this as more of a book to read to a child and share at bedtime. That isn't a bad thing though. I love reading stories to my grandbabies and read to my own children almost every night.

The formatting is a bit odd with the pictures being extremely small. I would have loved to see them at least half a page so that kids could enjoy the scenes.

As to the story itself, it is an imaginative and fun read. I love that Delia and Mingli stick together and battle their way through her nightmares. I also love the way their friendship keeps them close, even through disagreements.

Overall, a cute story to read together at bedtime. The next sleepover with my grandbabies this one will be our bedtime read.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and By the Book Virtual Book Promoters for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.