For us, Bad Kitty is the best kind of retiring cop buddy-movie. They always manage to pull us back in. Our 11-year-old went through a huge Bad Kitty phase when he was in third grade. He would howl with laughter when we’d leave him alone so that he could dig in with Uncle Murray, kitty, and the other animals that make up Nick Brule’s world. That was a couple of years ago. His brother was casually interested in Bad Kitty, and then not at all. However, now, just like the venerable Sergeant Murtaugh who’s about to retire, our nine-year-old has rediscovered a certain skittish black kitty.
When I think back to the baby shower gifts we received there were some that rose above others. At both ends of the spectrum were an expensive glass vase and a 24-pack of Hot Wheels. The Hot Wheels cars both boys played with for hours and that vase is in the kitchen where it catches coins, spare batteries or other non-elegant things that it’s not suited for. Somewhere in the middle of these gifts are the board books that our boys enjoyed. In that vein, Pocket Piggies Christmas! is a board book that knows its audience and really delivers the bacon.
Alphablock and Countablock, released in 2013 and 2014, have taught tens of thousands of children their alphabet or how to count. Our family is certainly in that group, as both boys learned their basics from them. Those books are part of the Abrams Block Book series and since then, they’ve expanded to fun, entertainment topics, as well as, the educational building blocks of the English language. Disney Block, Magical Moments For Fans of Every Age is an Abrams Block Book that takes the format of these books and captures 25 moments from classic Walt Disney films.
This week in all age comic books is nothing to laugh at. Really, there aren’t any comic books that you could categorize as humor. In its place are some of the staple all age comic books, plus an under-the-radar gem that’s great for those middle-school readers.
It’s a great week for web crawlers as The Amazing Spider-Man #54 and Marvel Action Spider-Man: Shock to the System are released. That first title is great for upper-elementary school and older, while that second one is great for middle-elementary school through high school. Upper elementary readers will also enjoy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #112. We looked at this title for the first time in a while and it’s a series that kids will enjoy and parents will approve of. There might be a couple of very mild words in the comic book, but you’re kids have heard and probably said them before if they’re 10 or older.
Lastly, are you 10 or older and looking for a very cool comic book that you’re friends might not be reading? If that is you then Usagi Yojimbo #15 is your jam. It’s about a ronin rabbit who goes about doing good deeds and sometimes getting into trouble. This is one of those all age comic books that has enough story to accompany the art. The violence, mostly implied, might be too much for those young elementary readers, but ages 9 and up who are looking for something fresh need to check this out.
Now, on with all of the all age comic books this week.
When is A Charlie Brown Christmas on TV is one of those seasonal search terms that roars in popularity during the first week in December. It’s special because the show is one of those communal experiences that bring people together to watch it in their own homes. Much like the classic Crowded House album, we’re Together Alone and watching one of the great stories come to life. A Charlie Brown Christmas Pop-Up Edition brings the classic charm of the show into an heirloom book that will remain in your family for generations.
The Beast and the Bethany is a wonderful book. ‘Wonderful’ isn’t a word that I used often to describe books, but in this case, it’s 100% appropriate. Sometimes we use ‘good’ to describe books, but that adjective can be subjective. What’s good for you, might not be good for me, or vice versa. Whereas ‘wonderful’ implies that it’s something that can be enjoyed by everyone at any time. The Beast and the Bethany is that sort of middle-school book. It’ll leave you smiling throughout, tickle your imagination in ways that the classic stories do and it has enough of a mean streak to intrigue those who normally wouldn’t touch it.
Let’s combine the new all-age comic books from last week into this week, shall we? Thanksgiving week was a little skinny and the first week in December is lighter than usual so it’s a great time to visit your local comic book store and see what’s new. Every Tuesday new DC Comic Books are released, while everything else is still released on new comic book day, which is Wednesday. Whatever you’re looking for, there are lots of great options in all age comic books to catch up on.
Those preschool through third-grade readers who want to get off on the right reading foot needs to check out Pirate Stew by Neil Gaiman, with illustrations by Chris Riddell. This is silly, read-along, pirate fun that will introduce kids to an author that they’ll learn to love.
Kids love knock, knock jokes. Smart kids love Doctor Who. Combine the two and you’ve got Doctor Who, Knock, Knock! Who’s There? Joke Book that’ll make those non-Whovians wish they had BBC America, BritBox, or HBO Max. One of the best comic books on the market place is ending its run. Lumberjanes is a fabulous comic book that’ll entertain readers aged 9 and up. It might attract more girl readers than boys simply due to the fact that it takes place at a summer camp for girls. However, the story, action, and humor make this one of the great comic books that anyone will enjoy if they give it a chance.
There are also two Sonic the Hedgehog comics out this week. This series is great for elementary school readers and delivers action with humor and just enough reading to make those younger readers want to read more. In middle through high-school and up is Art of Star Wars Mandalorian. This looks at the concept art behind the hit Disney + show. It’s not a casual book that will be confused with a comic book. The price point is $40 and it’s more of a coffee table book for the Star Wars soul. It’s the art that will be demo friendly to those ages 10 and up, just have them look at it with clean hands.
Now, here are all of the all age comic books for this week.
Regardless of your stance on books, STEM, mglit, or chocolate chip cookies, we can all agree that Who Gives A Poop?, Surprising Science From One End To The Other is one of the cleverest book titles you’ll ever run across. The book is a story of things that we see every day. Sometimes it’s hiding in plain sight and other times it smacks us on the shoulder while we’re sitting at the pool. It’s worth noting that actually did happen to our son this summer from a passing seagull. Now that I’ve read this book I know that so many things could’ve been gleaned by taking a look at that white splotch that splattered from him onto our stuff.
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