Children's book reviews, all age comic books, Kidlit, mglit, movies, entertainment and parenting
There’s a new exhibit at High Museum of Art. The Wonderful World of Ashley Brown collects more than 70 original works of art from the prolific artist in a variety of mediums. Ashley Brown is one of those artists that families and children know and love, even if they don’t know they know him.
Continue reading The Wonderful World of Ashley Bryan at High Museum of Art
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May 6 is Free Comic Book Day at your local comic book store. You should plan ahead to see if they’ll be having any special events, such as giveaways, games or artist signings. Just because there are lots of free options next week doesn’t mean that this week is a bust for new all age comics. One of the best original graphic novels in months is out, as are two go-to titles and some very dependable comic books that’ll hook ages as young as 5. Here are five of the more interesting or go-to all age comics that your young readers need to know about.
Scooby Doo Team Up #25
Of the two all age Scooby comic books Scooby Doo Team Up is our favorite. It has the gang teaming up with various DC Comics superheroes to tackle ghosts and other things that the kids can meddle in. In issue #25 Green Arrow and Green Lantern team up with the Scooby gang.
Kid Savage
From the cover on Kid Savage one might question if it’s OK for kids. It features a purple skinned cave-boy with orange eyes and claws, he looks quite savage. For kids aged 7 and up who like action and science fiction, Kid Savage will be their next best book friend. Kid Savage is an original graphic novel that reminds adults of the fun that they had when they first read a great graphic novel or comic book. For young readers they’ll imagine that their family is stranded on an alien planet or that they are the lone survivor of his race fighting dinosaurs. The only image in the book that might bother young readers is that of a decapitated dinosaur. Otherwise this is a great book with family lessons, action, creativity and a character that readers will welcome more of.
Steven Universe #3
Silly fun? Check. Tie-in to a well known show that middle school students love? Check. Steven Universe is now monthly and fans who like the television show or the mini-series will immediately love this friendly comic book. The content is good for any age, but only those in upper elementary and up will understand the humor or some of the bigger words. In a way, Steven Universe is a home spun, science fiction free version of Lumberjanes. Speaking of which….
Lumberjanes #37
Lumberjanes is one of the go-to all age comics for ages 7 and up. It’s weird, funny, teaches the value of friendships, rock and roll, Mermen and summer camp.
Voltron Legendary Defender Volume 2, #1
Volume 1 of the Voltron mini-series was great fun and mirrored the quality that went into its Netflix show. Voltron Legendary Defender Volume 2, #1 a very sharp comic book with lots of robots, heroes, teamwork, action and villains. Netflix has committed to six seasons of this character and it’s a good guess that the comic book will follow along. That’s a good thing as this comic book is appropriate for ages 5 and up. Those younger readers will need help with the vocabulary, but the action (and there’s plenty of it) will be great for them.
Humor
Superhero
Action/science fiction
Pix, One Weirdest Weekend is that rare graphic novel that ages 9 and up will enjoy reading for different reasons. It’s rare for a couple of reasons. It’s reprinted by Image Comics, a publishing house that has many great comic books, but almost none that are appropriate for those under 14. Pix was initially printed in 2014 and its reissue from Image certainly fills a void and introduces a character that could easily carry her own monthly series.
Continue reading Pix, One Weirdest Weekend aims for the tween graphic novel and succeeds
Spongebob Comics has been one of our go-to all age comics for years. Spongebob Comics Silly Sea Stories is a graphic novel that any age audience; who is down-or has ever been down the pineapple under the sea will laugh maniacally to while smiling to with buck teeth.
In a way Spongebob Comics is taking a page from Simpsons Comics with this book. Simpsons Comics is monthly, Simpsons Illustrated collects some stories from Simpsons Comics and is published quarterly. Add on to that fact that there are several Simpsons graphic novels that are published annually and you’ve a spikey haired printing industry.
Continue reading Spongebob Comics Silly Sea Stories fills a porous void
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It’s just over three weeks until Free Comic Book Day. That is May 6th at your local comic book store where they’ll have lots of free all age comics, they’re new, some are full size, some are mini-comics and each store will probably limit you to 5 per customer. So what’s new this week for young readers? Two of our favorite all comics are out this week, as are lots of superheroes and the final issue of a really cool princess series. Here are five of the more interesting or go-to all age comics that your young readers need to know about.
Mega Princess #5
It’s a princess tale where she saves the frogs who had previously been princes. Mega Princess is from Boom! Studios and is loaded with laughes, goofy action, just enough evil to latch in older readers who will enjoy this series. This is issue #5, the final one in this mini-series and is appropriate for ages 5 and up.
Dark Horse Presents Volume 3, #33
Too Much Coffee Man made us do it. Dark Horse Presents Volume 3, #33 is an anthology with six short stories from creators that few kids will know, but adults will appreciate. This comic is for teens, but it’s worth mentioning due to Too Much Coffee Man by Shannon Wheeler. This comic is in the same league as Life In Hell because its droll, effective humor and variety in presentation. Adults will love the humor in this character if they’re not already familiar with him.
Justice League Power Rangers, #4
This is easily one of the best all age comics of the year. The action that happens in Justice League Power Rangers is OK for ages 6 and up, with vocabulary that age 7 and up will be able to read on their own. It’s also refreshing to see the Power Rangers hold their own with a franchise that often steals their limelight
Teen Titans Go!
The Titan’s tower has been condemned and Control Freak is up to no good. Where can the team hold up? Our 5 and 7 year old kids love this show and the comic book. Teen Titans Go! is only $2.99 and from DC Comics
Jim Henson’s Power of the Dark Crystal
Jim Henson’s Power of the Dark Crystal will most likely not be your child’s favorite all ages comic. However, it is one of the best all age comic books. This is a 12 issue, fantasy mini-series from Boom! Studios that will be attractive to middle Earth kids who are 10 or older. The art in this comic is top notch and one that fans of the Dark Crystal will immediately bond with.
The music from Free Music Archive that’s used in this week’s podcast is from Julie Maxwell’s Piano Music. She also does some cosplay, translates Japanese, is a photographer and entrepreneur. Now-on with this week’s all age comics!
Humor
Superhero
Action/Science Fiction
For us, Hilda and The Stone Forest is like meeting someone for the first time who we’ve seen at parties and seems really cool. Then, when you meet them, you realize that they are even nicer and cooler than you thought they were and you kick yourself for not meeting them earlier. I’ve read a couple of short Hilda stories that were printed on Free Comic Book Day and did like them, but simply never got around to reading one of Luke Pearson’s books. That’s worth noting because there are some existing characteristics and story elements to Hilda, but they are not necessary to know to fully enjoy The Stone Forest.
The first thing that will grab reader’s attention is the art by Luke Pearson. Once you see Hilda you will not forget her. She’s immediately memorable and Trolberg, the world where she lives is rich with detail, various sized creatures and a European landscape that makes you want to be a resident there. Each page has art that feels like a comic strip, but is laid out with various sized panels and illustrations. Some of these even overlap each other so as to give the reader momentum as the story progresses. This effect also enhances the creativity and sense of wonder that Hilda has in engaging with her adventures.
Continue reading Hilda and The Stone Forest is timeless, top tier book/graphic novel
Mosquitoes and ninjas are things that are loathed and loved by children. One can ruin a summer’s day simply by hearing its high pitch squeal and the other can capture children’s imaginations and eluding everything else. Combine the two into a children’s picture book and you’ve got Mosquitoes Can’t Bite Ninjas by Jordan P. Novak.
Mosquitoes Can’t Bite Ninjas is a silly book that’s seemingly made for summer and those young readers who are 6 and under. The entire book takes place in a neighborhood with a sneaky and hungry mosquito looking for his next prey. We see the swimmer, chef, old lady and baby all being bitten by everyone’s go-to summer buzz kill, the mosquito.
Continue reading Mosquitoes Can’t Bite Ninjas, simple ninja fun for 6 and under
Imagine a book written about the most destructive thing that man has ever created. Now imagine a book written about a device that saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of lives and ended a world war. Depending on your perspective, both situations are correct in one of the most unlikely picture books you’ll ever read. The Secret Project is the story about the scientists that worked under deep secrecy to create their ‘gadget’, the Atomic Bomb.
Continue reading The Secret Project, a most unlikely picture book for upper elementary
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