Title: Odd Duck
Author: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrator: Sara Varon
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Copyright: 2013
Price: $18.50
ISBN: 978-1596435575
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Theodora is a very particular duck. She wakes up, exercises in the pond with an object on her head (generally a tea cup), and goes about her errands. She does everything a good duck is supposed to do from eating the right food and reading the right book. She does add a little something odd to her errands though, but she doesn’t think this makes her strange. Her life is perfect and she hopes it remains that way.
Enter a new neighbor. Chad is almost the complete opposite of Theodora. He has ruffled feathers, swims crazily, and considers himself an artist. At first, she rebels at the idea of getting to know him, but one night, she finds him stargazing like her and they immediately hit it off. A friendship blossoms and they do a lot together. One day someone exclaims how odd the new duck is. Who is it though and will Chad and Theodora’s friendship survive this comment?
A colorful tale of friendship is told in this hybrid (part comic, part book). Ultimately, this book sends the message of being true to yourself and the importance of friendship in a simple work that goes sweetly with the perfect cup of tea (or not when it comes to kids).
---------
Recommended Audience: elementary and up.
--------
Things to be aware of: Nothing. Kid friendly
----------
Further Thoughts: Adorable! Sweet! Cute! All of these words describe this simple hybrid book. Theodora is very particular and you know that something is going to upend her perfect world. Chat couldn’t be farther from her style, but they hit it off becoming close friends (although, it looks like more than friends in this kid tale). It is a great friendship tale, even if it is a very familiar tale.
The art is probably what helps this stand out and ducks. It’s about ducks who are similar to humans, but they still eat bland duck pellets. Theodora and Chad and the other ducks come to life in the art. There is lots of color and each duck seems different from the next. I also enjoy their curving, cartoony arms. It’s perfect for kids.
I suspect there will probably be more. I could see a story involving Chad teaching Theodora how to fly (or to overcome her fear only hinted at in this work), but maybe not. Maybe, they are just going to have this tale and be done (but I doubt it).
My only quibble with this book is a small thing. Theodora and Chad are friends, but they are awfully touchy-feely. They hug a lot and for the errands portion of the story they are linked, which, considering preschoolers having boyfriends and girlfriends, kids will latch onto it and believe there is more to this than the story lets on. On the other hand, I do enjoy the idea that you can be anything as long as you have a friend who cares about you. Theodora was so sure of herself at the beginning of the story and continued to stay that way. Chad came after and neither wanted to change the other. These are positive role models of friendships, and possibly romantic relationships geared perfectly for children.
Make room for this one on your children’s graphic novel shelf. So cute.
------
Source: Netgalley Request
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong
Title: Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong
Author: Prudence Shen
Illustrator: Faith Erin Hicks
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Copyright: 2013
Price: $18.99
ISBN: 978-1596436596
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Nerds versus jocks. Who will win in securing the student body president victory in the name of their own goals? Or will they come together and work toward a compromise? When the school has extra money to allocate, it is the Cheerleaders versus the Robot Team. The Cheerleaders want new outfits. The Robotics Team wants an opportunity to compete. The only way they can get that money is to become friends with the new student body president.
Nate, the Nerd, and Charlie, the Jock, are friends. Neither of them knows exactly why they are friends, but somehow, they keep coming to each other for their problems. Their friendship is tested when Holly, ex-girlfriend to Charlie and head cheerleader, sets Charlie up to run against Nate, who is running for his own team. Can they overcome this issue in their friendship? Is it even worth it for Charlie? He’s not exactly running anyway.
A wrench is thrown into everyone’s plan when politics goes just a little too far and it is up to The Robotics Team and the Cheerleaders to consider a plan of action that will benefit them both. Will it though?
---------
Recommended Audience: high school
--------
Things to be aware of: crude humor; mild violence; robot violence; challenge to authority; mild swearing
----------
Further Thoughts: The eternal struggle between Nerds and Jocks is highlighted in this story as the Robotics Team and Cheerleaders fight for their goals. The strength in this one is that it highlights the idea that sometimes, you need to work together.
The Nerd group is a diverse group of people but none of them ever exactly fit the “stereotype.” They are all aspects of the stereotype but are their own person. It is a fun group to watch interact, even as some characters take a backseat to others (which is highlighted in a surprise twist ending). They are willing to fight for what they believe in and they are pretty level headed. Except Nate. Nate is a bit narrow minded, which helps the story as he only wants a certain end goal and will do anything to achieve it.
The Cheerleaders are everything you think of when it comes to cheerleaders, but again, we’ve got a diverse group of characters. The humor in their characters comes from the fact that they are so regimented and so stuck up. They are also a pretty smart group. Not “nerd smart” but enough that they do have their part in the story.
And then there is Charlie. He straddles the line with his friendship to Nate and his participation in sports (and at one point “dating” Holly). It is his character that is probably the center of this story and the common thread. He’s got his own problems outside of the high school drama that Nate and the Cheerleaders are making with him. He’s mad at his parents and would prefer not to get on anyone’s bad side. In the beginning, he’s still willing to do what he needs to do to not challenge the status quo. By the end though, he’s challenged it and finally found his voice for his problems at home.
Black and white illustrations tell this story in Faith Erin Hicks’s style. If you haven’t read her other work, you’ll recognize this as her style. Ironically, I kept forgetting I wasn’t reading a work by Bryan Lee O'Malley (Scott Pilgrim). Her own style is very close. You could probably say it is part Hope Larson and part O’Malley. It’s definitely great art. The only downside is that the robot actions get a bit confusing, but that’s for only two panels.
Highly recommended and I’ll be picking up a copy.
------
Bonus: Did you see my post about the Interesting Marketing Strategy for this one? Faith Erin Hicks was/is a webcomic artist (according to Wikipedia).
Source: Netgalley Request. (Pub date: May 7, 2013)
Author: Prudence Shen
Illustrator: Faith Erin Hicks
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Copyright: 2013
Price: $18.99
ISBN: 978-1596436596
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Nerds versus jocks. Who will win in securing the student body president victory in the name of their own goals? Or will they come together and work toward a compromise? When the school has extra money to allocate, it is the Cheerleaders versus the Robot Team. The Cheerleaders want new outfits. The Robotics Team wants an opportunity to compete. The only way they can get that money is to become friends with the new student body president.
Nate, the Nerd, and Charlie, the Jock, are friends. Neither of them knows exactly why they are friends, but somehow, they keep coming to each other for their problems. Their friendship is tested when Holly, ex-girlfriend to Charlie and head cheerleader, sets Charlie up to run against Nate, who is running for his own team. Can they overcome this issue in their friendship? Is it even worth it for Charlie? He’s not exactly running anyway.
A wrench is thrown into everyone’s plan when politics goes just a little too far and it is up to The Robotics Team and the Cheerleaders to consider a plan of action that will benefit them both. Will it though?
---------
Recommended Audience: high school
--------
Things to be aware of: crude humor; mild violence; robot violence; challenge to authority; mild swearing
----------
Further Thoughts: The eternal struggle between Nerds and Jocks is highlighted in this story as the Robotics Team and Cheerleaders fight for their goals. The strength in this one is that it highlights the idea that sometimes, you need to work together.
The Nerd group is a diverse group of people but none of them ever exactly fit the “stereotype.” They are all aspects of the stereotype but are their own person. It is a fun group to watch interact, even as some characters take a backseat to others (which is highlighted in a surprise twist ending). They are willing to fight for what they believe in and they are pretty level headed. Except Nate. Nate is a bit narrow minded, which helps the story as he only wants a certain end goal and will do anything to achieve it.
The Cheerleaders are everything you think of when it comes to cheerleaders, but again, we’ve got a diverse group of characters. The humor in their characters comes from the fact that they are so regimented and so stuck up. They are also a pretty smart group. Not “nerd smart” but enough that they do have their part in the story.
And then there is Charlie. He straddles the line with his friendship to Nate and his participation in sports (and at one point “dating” Holly). It is his character that is probably the center of this story and the common thread. He’s got his own problems outside of the high school drama that Nate and the Cheerleaders are making with him. He’s mad at his parents and would prefer not to get on anyone’s bad side. In the beginning, he’s still willing to do what he needs to do to not challenge the status quo. By the end though, he’s challenged it and finally found his voice for his problems at home.
Black and white illustrations tell this story in Faith Erin Hicks’s style. If you haven’t read her other work, you’ll recognize this as her style. Ironically, I kept forgetting I wasn’t reading a work by Bryan Lee O'Malley (Scott Pilgrim). Her own style is very close. You could probably say it is part Hope Larson and part O’Malley. It’s definitely great art. The only downside is that the robot actions get a bit confusing, but that’s for only two panels.
Highly recommended and I’ll be picking up a copy.
------
Bonus: Did you see my post about the Interesting Marketing Strategy for this one? Faith Erin Hicks was/is a webcomic artist (according to Wikipedia).
Source: Netgalley Request. (Pub date: May 7, 2013)
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Miss Annie: Freedom (Book 1)
Title: Miss Annie:
Freedom (Book 1)
Author: Frank Le Gall
Author: Frank Le Gall
Illustrator: Flore
Balthazar & Robin Doo
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Copyright: 2011
Price: $29.27
ISBN:
978-0-7643-7884-6
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Four month old kitten Miss Annie thinks she’s all grown up. She’s determined to get outside and somehow, someday she will. Until then, she’s going to defend the house (from leaves) and chat with her best friend, a mouse, she dubs Keisha after Sarah’s (one of her humans) best friend. Miss Annie does get outside, only to discover that freedom isn’t exactly what she thought it was.
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Four month old kitten Miss Annie thinks she’s all grown up. She’s determined to get outside and somehow, someday she will. Until then, she’s going to defend the house (from leaves) and chat with her best friend, a mouse, she dubs Keisha after Sarah’s (one of her humans) best friend. Miss Annie does get outside, only to discover that freedom isn’t exactly what she thought it was.
---------
Recommended Audience: upper elementary (due to events in book 2)
Recommended Audience: upper elementary (due to events in book 2)
--------
Things to be aware of: N/A
----------
Things to be aware of: N/A
----------
Further Thoughts: This does not compare to Chi. Do not compare to Chi. This is not Chi
who is the most adorable kitten to read about.
Ok, since this
isn’t Chi, but another import and another title about a kitten, this one is
interesting it its own way. It takes a Charlie Brown view of humans (excepting
the way they talk) where we only see their feet, and Miss Annie’s observations
of her humans are silly, yet enjoyable. She does get into cat antics, but in a
way, they are not as numerous as…a real cat’s world it seems. Obviously, Sarah
wanted the cat, but she doesn’t seem to care for it like her parents do. Huh.
This is a full
color comic, which helps it, although Miss Annie’s patterns change
periodically, which confused me. How is she supposed to be? Tuxedo? Just black
and white?
Miss Annie:
Freedom is an
enjoyable title and might strike a chord in fans of Erin Hunter’s Warriors
series. The first book mainly sets the stage, while the second book focuses
more on what happens to Miss Annie in the world. It is no Chi’s Sweet Home
though, especially in appeal. The first volume is accessible to all ages, but
as Miss Annie matures, my thought is that it will immediately change into a
title more appropriate to upper elementary and fans of the Warriors series.
------
Source: Library copy.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Zoe and Robot: Let's Pretend
Title: Zoe and
Robot: Let’s Pretend
Author: Ryan Sias
Author: Ryan Sias
Illustrator: Ryan
Sias
Publisher: Blue Apple Books
Publisher: Blue Apple Books
Copyright: 2011
Price: $10.99
ISBN:
978-1-60905-063-4
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Zoe and Robot are going to climb Mt. Pillow, that is if Robot would just pretend. Like many adults, he can’t see what Zoe sees. A pile of pillows is a snow-covered mountain, the fan is a mountain breeze. Not to Robot. Is all lost or will Zoe figure out a way to help logical Robot pretend?
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Zoe and Robot are going to climb Mt. Pillow, that is if Robot would just pretend. Like many adults, he can’t see what Zoe sees. A pile of pillows is a snow-covered mountain, the fan is a mountain breeze. Not to Robot. Is all lost or will Zoe figure out a way to help logical Robot pretend?
---------
Recommended Audience: Children, K-3
Recommended Audience: Children, K-3
--------
Things to be aware of: Nothing.
----------
Things to be aware of: Nothing.
----------
Further Thoughts: Robot sees only a pile of pillows. This story is Zoe’s attempts to get
Robot to see the mountain. In an age where I think imagination is disappearing,
Zoe’s reminder to just pretend something is not what it is reminds us of the
pleasures of pretend playing. Also, Zoe reminds us in the first panel not to
spend all our time on video games, which is where she finds Robot when she
wants to play. She successfully tears him away for adventures.
This is a simple
graphic novel (really more of a comic book) for the beginning reader. Pairing
pictures, words, and actions, readers can determine the story. Plus, it is a
fun story about logic versus imagination. The illustrations are fun and the
text simple, making this a great addition to early comic reader collections.
------
Bonus:
Bonus:
Source: Library copy.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Nursery Rhyme Comics
Title: Nursery
Rhyme Comics
Author: Editor Chris Duffy
Author: Editor Chris Duffy
Illustrator: Various
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Copyright: 2011
Price: $18.99
ISBN:
978-1-59643-600-8
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Nursery Rhyme Comics is a collection of 50 artist renditions of popular and unknown nursery rhymes for kids. The introduction discusses the collection and why it was done for parents. The afterward discusses a little more about nursery rhymes. Each spread is about 1 page to 3 pages long, perfect for those who are interested in bite sized readings.
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Nursery Rhyme Comics is a collection of 50 artist renditions of popular and unknown nursery rhymes for kids. The introduction discusses the collection and why it was done for parents. The afterward discusses a little more about nursery rhymes. Each spread is about 1 page to 3 pages long, perfect for those who are interested in bite sized readings.
---------
Recommended Audience: all ages
Recommended Audience: all ages
--------
Things to be aware of: None.
----------
Things to be aware of: None.
----------
Further Thoughts: This title got a lot of buzz before it was released. I remember it
being mentioned in a webinar or an article. Kids were getting copies of pages
and were getting really excited for the book to come out. It got great ratings
and it is easy to see why.
Take your favorite
nursery rhyme and think about it. What images does it conjure for you? For the
sake of this, I’m going to think about “Hickory Dickory Dock.” When I was a
kid, I had a toy of sorts for the rhyme. It was a basic clock with a mouse
running up the side, then down. In this collection, “Hickory Dickory Dock” is
illustrated with a little mouse whose duty is to ring the bell. That is
certainly different than what you may have pictured. That is exactly how Nursery
Rhyme Comics goes.
I can’t pick a
favorite. I won’t pick a favorite. Each spread has something to love in it from
the hint of a recurring rhyme to a completely reimagining of Little Bo Peep
(who looks older and smarter than she is typically portrayed). Each comic has
something to it from being in the real world, to being in space, to covering
different races of children. All walks of life are represented here and I think
that really helps this collection. The artists also represented in this work
are the best of the best from Craig Thompson of Blankets to Kate Beaton
of the web comic “Hark! A Vagrant” to children’s illustrators David Macaulay
(those gorgeous building books) and Nick Bruel (of Bad Kitty fame).
Nursery Rhyme
Comics has something for
everyone and is a winner in the library, especially for those looking to round
out their children’s graphic novel sections.
------
Source: Library copy.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Scenes from an Impending Marriage
Title: Scenes from an Impending Marriage
Author: Adrian Tomine
Illustrator: Adrian Tomine
Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly
Copyright: 2011
Price: $9.95
ISBN: 978-1-770460-32-8
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Oh engagement! The next to last step to the marriage that will tie people together until death –or divorce- do they part. In Scenes from an Impending Marriage readers follow along as Sarah and Adrian try to plan their wedding. From guests to DJs to just trying to do things together, planning this wedding is hard. Tomine uses various art styles to evoke their frustrations about wedding planning and also give readers a little inside humor to wedding planning. It’s enjoyable and something I want[ed] on my wedding planning shelf for a little humor (Note: Pretty sure I read this BEFORE my wedding).
---------
Recommended Audience: Adults
--------
Things to be aware of: N/A
----------
Further Thoughts: The adorable cover of the couple rushing to get married (or away from the altar into their new lives together?) does not show you what is inside the book. The little hard cover book tells the story of Adrian and Sarah as they plan their wedding. Anyone who had planned a wedding (or tried to or dreads it) will understand what happens in this collection of strips showing their ups and downs. The humor is perfectly timed and consistent. The art is fun and I enjoyed the different styles used to tell this (Family Circus, Charlie Brown). A perfect gift or must read for the newly engaged.
Well worth the wait and hunting for this book (I heard about it and waited a while before a library got it).
------
Source: Library copy.
Author: Adrian Tomine
Illustrator: Adrian Tomine
Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly
Copyright: 2011
Price: $9.95
ISBN: 978-1-770460-32-8
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Oh engagement! The next to last step to the marriage that will tie people together until death –or divorce- do they part. In Scenes from an Impending Marriage readers follow along as Sarah and Adrian try to plan their wedding. From guests to DJs to just trying to do things together, planning this wedding is hard. Tomine uses various art styles to evoke their frustrations about wedding planning and also give readers a little inside humor to wedding planning. It’s enjoyable and something I want[ed] on my wedding planning shelf for a little humor (Note: Pretty sure I read this BEFORE my wedding).
---------
Recommended Audience: Adults
--------
Things to be aware of: N/A
----------
Further Thoughts: The adorable cover of the couple rushing to get married (or away from the altar into their new lives together?) does not show you what is inside the book. The little hard cover book tells the story of Adrian and Sarah as they plan their wedding. Anyone who had planned a wedding (or tried to or dreads it) will understand what happens in this collection of strips showing their ups and downs. The humor is perfectly timed and consistent. The art is fun and I enjoyed the different styles used to tell this (Family Circus, Charlie Brown). A perfect gift or must read for the newly engaged.
Well worth the wait and hunting for this book (I heard about it and waited a while before a library got it).
------
Source: Library copy.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
A Match Made in Heaven (My Boyfriend is a Monster 8)
Title: A Match Made in Heaven (My Boyfriend is a Monster #8)
Author: Trina Robbins
Illustrator: Xian Nu Studio (and others)
Publisher: Graphic Universe (imprint of Lerner)
Copyright: 2013
Price: $29.27
ISBN: 978-0761368571 (library bound)
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Morning Glory Conroy is a social outcast at her San Francisco high school. Everyone is in a clique and everyone has to come up with some spin on her name. If she had her way, she’d call her parents “mom” and “dad” and stay home to work on her manga. She is an aspiring manga artist. Someday, she’ll show off her work. Maybe at the upcoming comic-con.
Gabriel is a new student who walked out of who-knows-where. Glory and her only friend decide to help him because he is cute and so obviously confused about life. As Glory and Gabriel fall for each other, they meet opposition first from his unseen uncle and then from his cousin, Luci (with a heart over the ‘i’) who is determined to destroy what Gabriel loves. Amongst all of this drama, Glory’s best friend is having problems with her step-father. Oh, and Gabriel turns out to be an angel.
---------
Recommended Audience: high school
--------
Things to be aware of: mild violence, crude humor
----------
Further Thoughts: Something about this volume did not sit well with me. After I read it, I was like “huh.” I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but something about it was…off and I think it was something to do with the angel portion (mind you, my knowledge of angels is limited so I might have missed a lot) or how Gabriel acted.
Glory is a typical teenager in that she believes the world is against her and everyone, but her best friend, hates her (which annoyed me at first, but thinking on it is a very teen thing to do). She lets herself get trampled on by everyone and teased. She comes to terms with it by the end of the book, but possibly not in the best manner (is snapping back really the answer?). Glory is definitely still a “go-getter” in many ways, but not in the ones that matter to her. She’s afraid to share her manga, but it is ultimately Gabriel who helps her out. Thanks to him, her dreams come true. (While his support is nice, should the actual legwork be done by him? Um…)
The side story in this is with Glory’s best friend and her family drama. Her step-dad has crossed a line and her mother has kicked him out. He wants his biological daughter back, but is forced to stay away. This is what causes the drama in the book. It is also this that gives Glory the opportunity to chase after Gabriel and ultimately fall for him. He’s sweet in his naïveté, in a way, but…there is something not quite right here.
Barry and James are back and it is Barry’s reaction to Gabriel that makes me really want to know what is ultimately going on. Mr. James is back to his grouchy self and we hardly see anything of them later in the book. Bummer after how volume 7 went.
Basically, get this to keep the series going. I suspect teens would relate to this (I know I would have hooked into Glory’s view, but maybe not go for Gabriel), but overall, it left me feeling “meh.”
------
Bonus: Ok, here’s another publication date issue (number 7 was just as confusing). Netgalley says May 1st and so does Kirkus, but Amazon says the paperback, at least, is available now. What?
Source: Netgalley Request.
Author: Trina Robbins
Illustrator: Xian Nu Studio (and others)
Publisher: Graphic Universe (imprint of Lerner)
Copyright: 2013
Price: $29.27
ISBN: 978-0761368571 (library bound)
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Morning Glory Conroy is a social outcast at her San Francisco high school. Everyone is in a clique and everyone has to come up with some spin on her name. If she had her way, she’d call her parents “mom” and “dad” and stay home to work on her manga. She is an aspiring manga artist. Someday, she’ll show off her work. Maybe at the upcoming comic-con.
Gabriel is a new student who walked out of who-knows-where. Glory and her only friend decide to help him because he is cute and so obviously confused about life. As Glory and Gabriel fall for each other, they meet opposition first from his unseen uncle and then from his cousin, Luci (with a heart over the ‘i’) who is determined to destroy what Gabriel loves. Amongst all of this drama, Glory’s best friend is having problems with her step-father. Oh, and Gabriel turns out to be an angel.
---------
Recommended Audience: high school
--------
Things to be aware of: mild violence, crude humor
----------
Further Thoughts: Something about this volume did not sit well with me. After I read it, I was like “huh.” I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but something about it was…off and I think it was something to do with the angel portion (mind you, my knowledge of angels is limited so I might have missed a lot) or how Gabriel acted.
Glory is a typical teenager in that she believes the world is against her and everyone, but her best friend, hates her (which annoyed me at first, but thinking on it is a very teen thing to do). She lets herself get trampled on by everyone and teased. She comes to terms with it by the end of the book, but possibly not in the best manner (is snapping back really the answer?). Glory is definitely still a “go-getter” in many ways, but not in the ones that matter to her. She’s afraid to share her manga, but it is ultimately Gabriel who helps her out. Thanks to him, her dreams come true. (While his support is nice, should the actual legwork be done by him? Um…)
The side story in this is with Glory’s best friend and her family drama. Her step-dad has crossed a line and her mother has kicked him out. He wants his biological daughter back, but is forced to stay away. This is what causes the drama in the book. It is also this that gives Glory the opportunity to chase after Gabriel and ultimately fall for him. He’s sweet in his naïveté, in a way, but…there is something not quite right here.
Barry and James are back and it is Barry’s reaction to Gabriel that makes me really want to know what is ultimately going on. Mr. James is back to his grouchy self and we hardly see anything of them later in the book. Bummer after how volume 7 went.
Basically, get this to keep the series going. I suspect teens would relate to this (I know I would have hooked into Glory’s view, but maybe not go for Gabriel), but overall, it left me feeling “meh.”
------
Bonus: Ok, here’s another publication date issue (number 7 was just as confusing). Netgalley says May 1st and so does Kirkus, but Amazon says the paperback, at least, is available now. What?
Source: Netgalley Request.
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