Children's book reviews, all age comic books, Kidlit, mglit, movies, entertainment and parenting
You say Harlem to some people and they’ll either think of the neighborhood in New York City or the backdrop to the classic Eddie Murphy movie from 1989. Either way, they have the same setting. However, some people will associate it with Harlem Grown. I had heard about the garden in a news story a couple years ago and now it’s a fabulous illustrated book that’ll motivate some kids or simply be a great, good-night book to others.
It’s new comic book day this Wednesday and there are a couple really bright spots in all age comic books. The publishing world is still adapting to the schedule that’s been shifting since March. Because of that, one of the funniest and most creative humor books we’ve seen in years is coming to comic book (and other) stores this week. We thought it was released back in the spring, but Attack of the Stuff is finally coming to stores. It’s from author/illustrator Jim Benton and is absolutely hilarious. It’s weird, might take a moment to get some of the jokes, but is one of the best graphic novels that you’ll pick up this year.
In all age comic books UnderDog will be just the sort of all age escapism for elementary aged readers. Those upper elementary (and up) kids will love Marvel Action Captain Marvel TPB Vol. 2 and The Amazing Spider-Man #47. If they’re a little more cerebral and want something more indie, check out Usagi Yojimbo #12. This series is all action, being made into a Netflix series and has a samurai rabbit. It’s also one of the best all age comic books that you’ll see on a regular basis.
Beetle & The Hollowbones looks like the slightly spookier sister of Steven Universe or a more linear story than one that you’d find in Adventure Time. Granted, for those Cartoon Network or comic book fans those are big things to measure up to. However, they’re also very appropriate and give upper elementary through middle school readers an instant affiliation as to what kind of reader would dig Beetle & The Hollowbones by Aliza Layne.
Eight years is a long time between sequels, especially for middle elementary school through middle school books. However, you can’t keep a good rabbit down as author/illustrator/worldbuilder Tony DiTerlizzi and his fans can attest to. Kenny & the Book of Beasts is the sequel to Kenny & the Dragon and is an utterly charming book that young readers will quickly embrace. This is also the kind of book that readers can enjoy without reading the first one in the series.
Displacement is a powerful graphic novel about the history of the United States when Japanese-Americans were forcibly place in internment camps. As a story, this period of time has many earnest and worthwhile stories that can be told. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Elsinger, Steven Scott and illustrations by Harmony Becker tells the same story, but from a different perspective. The perspective in Displacement is unique in the fact that the main reason for the story to be is due to the lead character, Kiku and her ability to jump through time.
If Our Favorite Day of the Year were an advertisement it was be from Benetton circa 1985. Their ads were culturally inclusive far ahead of today’s standard. I remember their ads from that time period as really breaking the barrier in that they reflected numerous skin tones in them. The clothes were standard and not really something that I wore, but the ads grabbed your attention from the get go. Our Favorite Day of the Year has that same vibe, but looks at a modern-day classroom and how this kid’s favorite day will be different than that kid’s.
The base theme of Time To Roar has everything that parents could want in a message-oriented illustrated book. The book can be viewed at as a pre-K look at sticking up for yourself or a cause you believe in. Time To Roar could also be seen as a not so subtle allegory about deforestation and how it impacts the animals. Unfortunately for most young readers the book tries each story arc with equal enthusiasm, which in turn makes the book preachy and as predictable as an action movie from the 80’s staring Chuck Norris.
It’s new comic book day again and this week is settling into a nice groove. There’s a great variety of all age comic books and new graphic novels that will entertain readers in upper elementary school. First up, we missed highlighting Peanuts The Gang’s All Here when it was released a couple weeks ago. The virus and its effects on publishing are still reverberating. Because of that some releases were delayed, while others are sliding under the radar. These Peanuts books from Andrews McMeel are awesome. They’re new strips that seamlessly inhabit the soul and spirit of the classic characters. If your kids love Peanuts and are tired of looking through your collection, then check out The Gang’s All Here so that they can have new stories of their own.
In all age comic books there are two of the go-to releases for any reader who is six or older and in elementary school. Sonic The Hedgehog #30 is on IDW Publishing and is full of action and humor that these ages want. This comic is always a hit with elementary school libraries and will probably take off more with individual readers now that the movie was such a hit. Scooby Doo Where Are You #105 is from DC Comics and is consistently awesome. The movie, on the other hand, was forced and had grander visions of a shared Hanna-Barbera Universe. Its focus on that angle let to a jokeless affair that made audiences yearn for a box of Scooby snacks.
Other notable all age comic books or graphic novels this week include a couple cool Transformers comic books for middle school, a Haunted Mansion graphic novel for upper elementary and up plus, Spider-Woman and a vintage Spider-Man re-release. The entire list is just below the graphic.
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