11 September 2012–No Review this week, just news

 

So, I’ve been crazy busy the past couple of days, and haven’t been able to review anything properly. However, I’m not leaving you empty-handed.

First off, 11 years ago, the face of America was changed forever when the twin towers were hit by terrorists. I like to think that we’re stronger as a nation and many signs point towards that. Stay strong America!

Heads up folks! My Favorite Martian Monkey is coming down to the deadline! we have five (Count ‘Em –5!) days to go until it closes and Steve can start the hard, arduous process of actually printing everything out. He’s got a killer stretch goal (Below):

If he hits $6,000 before the kickstarter closes, he will send out this exclusive poster, illustrated by 20 other artist friends of his! The great part is, at the time of this writing, he’s only $850 away from hitting that goal! If you haven’t contributed yet, please do so, it’s an awesome book, and well worth it! (Steve, I’m really sorry about squishing the bejezus out of the image)

The Secret of the Stone Frog dropped to stores today. A Fantastical combination of Little Nemo and Alice in Wonderland, it’s a beautiful book (link to review in the title).

The Monkey King Vol. 2 Library Binding dropped yesterday. This is the second book in a 20 book series that retells The Journey to the West, one of the four classic pillars of Chinese Literature. The artwork is absolutely amazing, and you have to check it out.

Jeremy Whitley of Princeless fame is busy working on a collection of Princeless short stories. He announced artists over at his Tumblr site. Go check it out, and if you haven’t read Princeless yet, strike yourself around the head and neck viciously and then go to your local comic book dealer/book store/amazon enabled computer and buy yourself a copy. After the bruises go down, you’ll thank me.

Lot’s of books lined up for upcoming review, including My Boyfriend is a Monster #6: Wrapped Up In You, A graphic novel adaptation of The Little Prince, and a retelling of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol that not only flips the character of Scrooge on its head, but is so visually arresting, it will take your breath away.

On a side note, I am putting together presentations regarding the use of graphic novels in the classroom, as well as book talks of graphic novels for elementary, middle, high schools and colleges. If you’re interested, please contact me and we can discuss specifics.

26 July 2012–Toon Books Contest!

 

I’ve always been a big fan of contests, and I’ve always been kind of a messy eater. So when Toon Books contacted me about their new contest, I was super excited to pass the information along.

Now, you’re probably asking yourself “what is he going on about?” Well, you remember last week’s reviews? One of the books I reviewed was Maya Makes a Mess by Eisner Award winner Rutu Modan. It is a wonderfully funny book, and the artwork is just amazing. Anyways, the great folks over at Toon Books seem to feel the same way – so much so, they’re holding a contest in the spirit of the book.

(Here’s an excerpt of the email they sent me today)

We are excited to announce that TOON Books will be hosting a GIVEAWAY for the upcoming release of our newest Easy-To-Read comic Maya Makes a Mess by Eisner Award-winning cartoonist Rutu Modan. We would like to make you a part of it!

Maya, a young girl with particularly messy manners, receives an unexpected invitation to dine with the Queen. Suddenly her manners are put to the ultimate test and she begins to improvise her very own set of rules, with uproarious results.

To celebrate the joy of sticky hands and sloppy faces we pose this challenge: how messy can it get? To be entered into our giveaway, simply email a picture/video of messy manners to mail@toon-books.com. 

A free copy of Maya Makes a Mess will be sent to our favorite messy eaters. Winners and runners-up will also be featured in a hall of fame gallery.

This is going to be a great contest, and super easy to boot! All you have to do is upload a picture of you being a messy eater to mail@toon-books.com. Seriously – how difficult is that? If they love your pic, you get a free copy of Maya Makes a Mess!

It’s not even limited to the kids either! Take a look at this:

TOON staff members Julianna and Stela hard at work!

Image courtesy Toon Books

These two look like they were having a lot of fun, and you can too! Just take a pic of you eating messily (or at least the aftermath) and email it to  mail@toon-books.com.

Trust me, this is a book your kids are going to love for many years to come, and for those emergent readers who are looking for something that is a fun read, but not too difficult, look no further.

For more information and video suggestions, please check out Toon Books Maya Makes a Mess page. http://toon-books.com/mayamakesamess/messy-eater/

Good luck to all those messy eaters out there, and  please remember these three guidelines:

1) Get your parent’s permission first

2) Have fun, be creative!

3) Be sure to clean up afterwards!

16 July 2012, Toon-A-Palooza

No, not this! (special thanks to flickr user Mauralyn for the pic)

Nor This (no idea of what the site really is, toon fan service maybe?)

What I’m talking about is a big review this week of not one, not two, not three, but four – count ‘em, Four! new books from the wonderful folks at Toon Books.

 

First up, we have A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse by Frank VIva.

Image Courtesy Toon Books

Written and Illustrated by Frank Viva

Toon Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-93517-919-1 (HB)

$12.95, Ages: 4 +

Summary: A young explorer and his friend Mouse, take a trip to the bottom of the world. On the way, mouse makes observations on such things as tasks that are difficult to execute while the boat is going up and down on the waves, what to wear in the cold temperatures, different types of penguins, what whales might do, and different types of creatures that live in the sea.

Analysis: As with other books in the level 1 group, this is a simple book for the youngest readers. I really hate to use the term simple, because it implies that this is not an engaging book – far from it. Viva’s artwork is simplistic, but the characters still convey emotions and actions so clear and succinctly that any child reading it can tell at a glance what the characters are feeling. Mouse is readily willing and eager to list items that fall into each category presented, and I was mildly surprised to discover that even at the bottom of the world, it is possible to swim in the ocean in certain areas.

Final Thoughts: This is a fun book. my littlest one really enjoys the different penguins, and this is currently on his list of nightly reads. The artwork is very inviting and the story, while a quick read, is one that kids will demand to read again and again.

***

Next we have the latest installment of the super popular Toon Books series, Benny and Penny.

Image Courtesy Toon Books

Written and Illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes

Toon Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-93517-920-7 (HB)

$12.95, Ages: 6 +

Summary: Benny and Penny, sibling mice, are having another grand adventure, this time, when the two are getting ready for bed, they tell each other stories, with Benny doing everything in his power to be a nuisance to his little sister, be it with a flashlight, dinosaur book, or drinks. However, when Benny realizes he forgot something important out in the play house, will he be brave enough to go get it, or will he need help from Penny?

Analysis: Benny and Penny has proven to be a huge success with kids and parents, and it’s very easy to see why. Hayes artwork is clean, yet rich and vibrant. Benny and Penny feel like living, breathing characters, and they act exactly like kids their age would act.

Final Thoughts: While their adventures may not be as harrowing as those of Jeff Smith’s Fone Bone, Benny and Penny are just as charismatic and endearing. Hayes knows how to write stories that are fun, while subtly driving home the point that even though siblings can be a royal pain, they’re usually the first ones to have your back when you need it the most.

***

Now appearing on Stage Three of Toon-A-Palooza, Maya Makes a Mess, the first children’s title by Eisner Award Winning Rutu Modan (Author and Illustrator of Exit Wounds).

Image Courtesy Toon Books

Written and Illustrated by Rutu Modan

Toon Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-93517-917-7 (HC)

$12.95, Ages: 6+

Summary: One night, while Maya is eating dinner with her folks, she is summoned to dinner with the Queen. Not having time to change, she jumps on the plane. Being constantly being reminded to mind her manners, Maya ends up attending something similar to a state dinner. As the meal progresses, Maya introduces an interesting new way of eating a meal to the upper crust of society.

Analysis: When I first started reading this book, I was worried that it was going to be rather dull and boring. I am so glad I was dead wrong. Modan has crafted a story that builds slowly at first, reaching a crescendo of childhood impropriety that is a laugh riot. Her artwork is clean and beautiful, evoking suggestions of Art Deco and Hergé’s Tin Tin.

Final Thoughts: Out of all the books reviewed this week, this one was probably the biggest and most enjoyable surprise. Enjoyable, funny, and deeply satisfying, Maya Makes a Mess is awesomely entertaining, and a must read. I have a feeling that this is going to be on many “Best of…” lists.

***

Our final review tonight is The Secret of the Stone Frog, by David Nytra. A bit bigger than standard offerings, it is still an amazing and entertaining book.

Written and Illustrated by David Nytra

Toon Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-93517-918-4 (HB)

$14.95, Ages: 8 +

Summary: Siblings Alan and Leah wake up one day and discover themselves in an enchanted forest. Trying to figure out how to get home, they have to rely on their wits and the advice of a stone frog in order to get home.

Analysis: Everything about this book is a blast. From the art and the story to the rough cut edges of the pages and name plate on the inside cover, this is one of those books that may not appeal to all kids, but the ones it does, they’re going to treasure this book for life. It’s one of those that will become a family treasure, passed down from parent to child. The art seems to be heavily influenced equally by Windsor McCay and John Tenniel, with a hint of L. Frank Baum thrown in for good measure.

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. The artwork has a timelessness to it that I’ve always found fascinating, and there’s just enough strangeness to really make the story imbed itself deep within your psyche. It may not be a fast mover on the library shelves, but those that take the leap will definitely appreciate it for years to come.

22 February 2012–Random Musings

 

Morning Surprise

So, I woke up this morning, and while checking my email, I came across an ad for Zig and Wikki *in* the Cow, which I had reviewed the other day. As I was scrolling through the email, I came across this:

It took me a minute to realize that I was reading my own words. Then it hit me… I’m being used in promotional materials! I was so excited, I did a happy dance right then and there. Seriously though, Toon Books is on to something great in general. I’ve long thought that emergent readers can benefit the most from graphic novels, and the folks at Toon are keyed into that as well.

I’m also on Goodreads and Facebook (shameless self plug)

 

Jimmy Gownley announces new Tumblr page

It was with a bit of shock that I discovered that Jimmy Gownley was ending his Amelia Rules series recently, but he did announce that he’s working on other projects. In fact, he just opened a new Tumblr page to showcase some of the things he did (and plans to do). Regardless of what he comes up with next, it’s going to be awesome.

Check out his Tumblr page here.

 

Denver Comic Con

Don’t forget! If you live in or around the Rocky Mountains (Or you’re headed that way this summer), The First Annual Denver Comic Con is happening this summer! June 15 – 17 in beautiful Downtown Denver, and NO it is not going to be in some cramped hotel ballroom, They’ve got the Convention Center. I’ve been there, it’s huge. It’s shaping up to be an awesome run-up to SDCC and Dragon*Con. For more information, hit their link here, and tell ‘em Nathan at the Graphic Novel Reader sent ya.

 

(This is an update of an earlier post, added some more pics, and the Denver Comic Con article)

20 February 2012–Zig and Wikki *in* the Cow

Image courtesy Toon Books

Written by Nadja Spiegelman, Illustrated by Trade Loeffler Toon Books, 2012 ISBN: 978-1-9351779-15-3 $12.95, Ages: 8 - 10

Summary Zig the space alien is worried about his pet fly, who is not acting normal. Wikki is jealous. When they discover that Zig’s pet is homesick, they fly back to Earth to help Zig’s fly feel better. However, when they arrive back on Earth, that’s when the adventure really gets under way, starting by Zig and Wikki getting eaten by a cow! Analysis  Spiegelman and Loeffler do a fantastic job with the subject matter, namely the standard ecological cycle and a cow’s digestive system. There’s just enough low-brow humor to titillate target audiences, but nothing anyone would get upset over. Loeffler’s artwork is clean, fun, and easy to understand without being too graphic, and Spiegelman’s pacing cleverly disguises the fact that while fun, readers are actually learning a surprisingly large amount of information. Final Thoughts Zig and Wikki is shaping up to be a fantastic series that imparts a lot of useful information disguised as a fun story. The artwork is crisp and enjoyable, and a science class would be hard pressed to find a better example of the ecological cycle that is so engaging. Parents might not be so quick to embrace the series, but kids will find this one they want to read over and over again.

20 February 2012–Chick & Chickie: Play All Day!

Image Courtesy Toon Books

Written and Illustrated by Claude Ponti Toon Books, 2012 ISBN: 978-1-935179-14-6 $12.95 Ages: 5 - 7

Summary Chick and Chickie are two chicks who are best friends looking to have fun. Starting out by making scary masks, the manage to scare each other half to death with their masks, and then they decide to play with their friend the letter ‘A’. Analysis Chick and Chickie is a great addition to any emergent literacy program. Ponti’s artwork is clean and crisp, allowing young readers to understand what is happening easily. While their masks terrify each other, the images are anything but scary, and the bit with the letter ‘A’ allows children to emulate what Chick and Chickie are doing through the use of action verbs. Final Thoughts Chick and Chickie is a fun romp for emergent readers. My three year old loves to sit and just look at the pictures, making up his own stories to got along with it, and my 5 year old will sit and read it out loud. I would highly recommend Ponti’s work for any pre-k or kindergarten class. As with all Toon books, there is a guide in the back to give parents tips on reading the book for maximum impact with their kids.

On a side note, I’ll be posting my review of another new Toon Book, Zig and Wikki *in* The Cow later today.

7 February 2012–updates and apologies

Hey all! No, contrary to popular opinion and wishful thinking, I’m not dead. I’ve been detained by school, and as such, I haven’t been able to talk about the Denver Comic Con coming up this summer, Jimmy Gownley ending the perennial kid’s favorite Amelia Rules, Capstone and DC teaming up for more Super Hero goodness, or new releases from Kids Can Press, :01 Second, Toon Books, or Scholastic (or the many other great publishing companies out there).

All I’m asking is that you bear with me folks. I’m still plugging away, and I’m still working on reviews, but it’s going to be a little scattershot for the next couple of months. With that said, I have a feeling that we’re going to be seeing some amazing stuff this year, and I can’t wait to share it with you all out there.

Nathan’s Top 10 (plus 1) of 2011 pt. 2

 

Yesterday, I started my top 10 list of 2011, and tonight I aim to finish the list. So, with no further ado, let’s get right to it:

6. Romeo & Juliet

Image Courtesy Stone Arch Books

Written by William Shakespeare; Retold by Martin Powell; Illustrated by Eva Cabrera

Stone Arch Books, 2011 $6.95

ISBN: 978-1-434234-48-3

Originally reviewed 21 December 2011, Shakespeare’s immortal tale of star crossed lovers comes to life with updated language for today’s readers, but maintains the passion of the original. Full review can be located here.

7. Tricky Coyote Tales

Image Courtesy of Graphic Universe

Written by Chris Schweizer; Illustrated by Chad Thomas

Graphics Universe, 2011 $6.95

ISBN: 978-0-761378-59-4

Reminiscent of the old Choose Your Own Adventure books of my youth, Tricky Coyote Tales puts you in the role of the title character (the different books in the series all focus on trickster animals) and your attempts at getting food and shelter. In addition to being a graphic novel, it also allows the reader some sense of control over the story. Full review can be seen here.

8. Nina in That Makes Me Mad!

Image Courtesy Toon Books

Written by Steven Kroll; Adapted and Illustrated by Hilary Knight

Toon Books, 2011 $12.95

ISBN: 978-1-935179-10-8

Showing young readers that they’re not alone when it comes to different things that make them mad, Nina presents different things that make her mad. Knight’s beautiful artwork really bring this book to life, and the end offers up some sage advice for dealing with things that make anyone mad. Original review can be seen here.

9. How Do We Stay on Earth?

Image Courtesy Capstone Publishing

Written by Amy S. Hansen; Illustrated by Korey Scott

Capstone Press; 2011 $5.95

ISBN: 978-1-429671-74-3

Science has always been a fascinating thing for kids. Long before they get into school and science, they naturally want to know how things are the way they are. This series tackles those hard to explain concepts in such a way that even the youngest readers will easily grasp, while avoiding the tendency of some books to ‘dumb down’ the concept. Full review of this specific book can be found here.

10. Nursery Rhyme Comics

Image courtesy :01 Second

Written and Illustrated by Various; Edited by Chris Duffy.

:01 Second; 2011 $18.99

ISBN: 978-1-59643-600-8

On my list of absolute, all-time favorite books, this ranks up in the top three. Marrying two things that kids quickly identify with – nursery rhymes and comics, the contributors to this collection all take a different nursery rhyme, some standards others obscure, and lovingly render their own spin on the tale. This one needs to be on every parent’s wish list for their kids. Yes, it’s that good. Here’s the full review.

Well, that’s the list of my top 10 for 2011. But wait! You cry out, you said there was to be a plus one! Nodding my head, I smile.

11. Amulet Book 4: The Last Council.

Image Courtesy Scholastic

Written and Illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi

Scholastic, 2011 $10.99

ISBN: 978-0545208-87-1

In the fourth book of Kibiushi’s Amulet Series, Emily, her family and friends are on the move to the city of the Council, Cielis. Once they arrive, they quickly discover that not all is well in the town. The streets are deserted, townsfolk cower in fear, and seemingly normal people have been acting very strange. In addition to this, Emily is spirited away in an effort to compete for a spot on the Guardian Council – the most powerful group of stonekeepers in the world. However, as competitors are eliminated one by one, Emily makes a terrifying and horrific discovery – one that could completely destroy everything that Emily is fighting for.

Kibiushi is an amazing artist, and his pacing is mind blowing. I have read thousands of graphic novels and books over the years, and I can honestly say that Amulet is so engrossing that I tend to forget where I am when I read it. The characters are engaging, honest, and likeable, and they evoke real emotion when you read their stories. If you only buy one book for your school, library, kid, etc. make sure it’s one of the books in this phenomenal series. Seriously.

Finally, I want to also give a nod to one book that falls at the far end of the spectrum of books I review.

12. Manga Man

Image Courtesy Houghton Mifflin

Written by Barry Lyga; Illustrated by Colleen Doran

Houghton Mifflin, 2011 $18.99

ISBN: 978-547423-15-9

Meet Ryoko – smart, athletic, attractive, able to survive alien invasions, giant robot attacks and monsters. He’s your typical manga protagonist.

Meet Marissa Montaigne – popular, beautiful, romantic. The typical female character in any western love story.

After the Rip tears a hole in his world, Ryoko is sucked through to Marissa’s world, where he becomes the ultimate outsider in a seemingly normal high-school themed story. Unfortunately for the bullies and jocks of this high school, Ryoko still retains all of his abilities (not to mention the standard conventions of traditional action manga – speed lines! Super deformed body modification to emphasize certain actions! Article 175!) It’s obvious that Lygia and Doran had a blast making this story – the sheer excitement they pour into this book is evident from the outset, and they do not disappoint at all. This is a delight to read (especially if you’re familiar with Eastern and Western comic book conventions), but this one is reserved for those kids who are ages 12 and up (mostly for the Article 175 bit).

So, that’s the full list of my top 10 for 2011 (plus a bonus or two). If you have any disputes, questions why a title didn’t make it on the list, or want to yell at me for my choices, please contact me via the links to the right.

22 December 2011–Nina in That Makes Me Mad!

Image Courtesy of Toon Books

Adapted and Illustrated by: Hilary Knight, Written by: Steven Kroll Toon Books, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-935179-10-8 (Hardback) $12.95 Ages: 6 - 8

Summary Nina, a precocious little girl, explains different things that make her angry, and then acts them out with her family. Originally written by the late Steven Kroll, This story has been a popular one for kids since its original publication in 1976, as it allows young readers to identify with Nina in different situations. In the end, Nina also explains that the best way for her to cool off is to talk about what makes her mad. Analysis A fun and funny book for young readers, Nina gets into situations that the majority of children can feel familiar with. The end is also a great way to impart the idea that “talking it out” is a preferred method of conflict resolution. Knight’s artwork is top notch (as always), and the amount of respect he has for the original work is evident in this version. Sadly, Mr. Kroll was unable to see the latest edition reach publication, but his memory (and multitude of other works) continue to delight and inspire children the world over. Final Thoughts Knight (whose artwork is immediately recognizable) does an amazing job on this book, which by itself should be a good reason to read it alone, but combined with a story that emergent readers can identify with, this becomes a definite must-read. Parents can benefit from this book especially, as they can discuss with their children the different issues Nina faces throughout the book.

Back Up and Running

 

So, after time off to work on my degree, I have returned from the trenches, battered, bruised, and bowed, but not beaten. While I have one more semester to go, I got some exciting news to pass along.

1) I am in the process of writing a paper that I intend to submit for conference at the Pre-con at the DCC (Denver Comic Con) this summer.

2) I have been in contact with the guys at the DCC, and they have expressed an interest (as have I) in my participation on some panels.

3) One of my professors has asked me to come and speak to her Children’s Lit class next semester about graphic novels as Children’s Lit.

4) The good folks at both Capstone Publishing and Toon Books were kind enough to send me review copies, so be on the look out for those reviews coming soon.

5) Because of the backlog that I managed to build up, I'm going to be increasing my output of reviews for the time being, starting with the one immediately following this post (you’ll find it below)

So, that’s where I am currently sitting. I’m also working on my list of picks for 2011, and will post by year’s end. If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, please contact me!

 

Thanks!

Nathan